British Fashion Council Names Laura Weir Chief Executive Officer

LONDON – The British Fashion Council has named Laura Weir chief executive officer, succeeding Caroline Rush. Weir, currently executive creative director at Selfridges, will take over on April 28.

In her new role Weir will oversee the BFC, working with designers, industry partners, and government bodies to further the organization’s mission of championing British fashion through programs that support creative talent.

David Pemsel, chair of the BFC, said Weir’s past experience gives her “an understanding of the complexities of the fashion industry ecosystem.”

During her career Weir has worked alongside designers, creative talent, industry leaders, and the press at Selfridges, ES Magazine, Elle UK, and Drapers.

Pemsel added that her experience has also given her the strategic foresight to be able to “lead positive transformation and initiatives to drive the next chapter of the BFC both domestically and globally, supported by a brilliant team.”

Weir said she is taking over the BFC at an exciting and pivotal time for the British fashion industry.

“I look forward to working with the BFC team to champion culture and creativity to catalyze growth for British fashion, both domestically and globally. I will focus on support for emerging and established designers and strengthening our pipeline of British creative talent,” she added.

She said under her leadership the BFC will continue to deliver an enhanced international industry presence, and forge partnerships with industry and government to future-proof the sector and its contribution to the British economy while addressing critical challenges such as environmental responsibility and prioritizing representation and inclusion.

“It is a privilege to champion the diversity and ingenuity that defines British fashion and to lead a mission that will inspire generations to come,” added Weir.

On Weir’s watch the BFC aims to continue to focus on responsible growth through its community that advocates for creativity and collectively supports the industry to grow and build opportunities for talent; innovation through the Institute of Positive Fashion and preparing businesses for positive change, and global amplification through London Fashion Week and the Fashion Awards.

As first reported by WWD, Rush plans to step down this year after an action-packed 15 years to “hand over the baton, and start an exciting new chapter,” she said.

Rush joined the BFC in April 2009, and her job evolved rapidly from manager and marketer to fundraiser, lobbyist, and crisis controller. Her tenure has spanned seven prime ministers, five U.K. general elections, and a slew of challenges triggered by Brexit and the pandemic.

She leaves behind a sturdy organization, and one that’s no longer dependent on fortunes of fast fashion tycoons or high street sponsors. The BFC of today relies on a wider group of members who pay dues, individual donors, private- and public-sector partners.

In the most recent fiscal year, the BFC, a not-for-profit entity that marked its 40th anniversary in 2024, had a turnover of more than 12 million pounds. 

It is also profitable, thanks partly to the efforts of industry investors Narmina Marandi and Tania Fares, cochairs of the BFC Foundation Fundraising Committee, and events such as the Fashion Awards.