Many a brand represented in our luxury creative portfolio at Skywire London will have noted the British Fashion Council’s (BFC) recent announcement that its chief executive, Caroline Rush, will be departing the role in June 2025. 

But as the marketing professional plots her exit from the non-profit’s helm after 16 years, what achievements and milestones can she and the organisation look back on – and what challenges and opportunities will await her yet-to-be-named successor? 

Rush hailed as “fantastic industry leader” and a champion for British fashion 

The BFC – which is, of course, the organisation behind London Fashion Week (LFW), while also promoting British fashion in a broader sense in the UK and across the world – appointed Rush in 2009. It has been quite the journey since then, with the BFC noting that its revenue has more than doubled during the present CEO’s time in post. 

The non-profit celebrated Rush’s focus on designers, which the organisation noted had been instrumental in the development of “pioneering, world-class programmes” elevating creative talent from the UK.

BFC chair David Pemsel commented: “Caroline is a fantastic industry leader and has relentlessly championed British fashion globally for the last 15 years. During her tenure, she has remained dynamic and agile whilst navigating some of the most challenging times for the industry. 

“On behalf of the industry, I want to thank her for her work, her passionate support and dedication.” 

An era of major – and sometimes unexpected – change for the BFC 

Pemsel’s reference to “challenging times” isn’t an understatement. While Rush was expected in her role to enhance the LFW’s position as one of the “big four”, the profound disruptions of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic presented serious, even existential tests to UK-based designers. 

Along the way, though, Rush launched two charities that merged in 2019 to form the BFC Foundation, which concentrates on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring in support of the British fashion sector’s growth and success. Since 2020, the charity has awarded £4.3 million in support of designers and their businesses. 

Also in 2019, the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) was launched. This entity leads various programmes geared towards industry innovation, encompassing such crucial areas as the environment, people, and circularity. 

Fast-forward to this year, and as the UK general election loomed, the BFC put together a five-point plan addressed to the new Government, setting out industry priorities. Rush drew fresh attention to these demands during a reception at 10 Downing Street in September, following the rise of Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party to office. 

BFC “in a great position to continue its essential and incredibly important work” 

Rush said about her decision to depart as CEO: “After 15 years in service to the industry, I am ready for a new challenge. Having built the organisation’s resources back to better than pre-pandemic levels, it is in a great position to continue its essential and incredibly important work with new leadership and a new chapter.” 

Among those responding to the news of Rush’s exit was consumer expert and broadcaster Kate Hardcastle, who – in a contribution to Forbes – said there was now “a unique opportunity to reimagine the leadership and direction of the BFC.” 

Hardcastle cited the importance of the organisation continuing to embrace new talent. She also suggested that the BFC extend its focus beyond designers to the broader fashion ecosystem, and ensure that “iconic” events such as LFW and the Fashion Awards “reach beyond fashion’s inner circles and resonate more widely with the public.” 

Our own creative and strategic experts at Skywire London certainly can’t wait to see what all this could look like. In the meantime, we salute Caroline Rush’s many achievements during her time at the top of the BFC – and if your brand wishes to join the ranks of those already taking pride of place in our luxury creative portfolio, please feel free to contact us.

Photo by Arthur Edelmans on Unsplash