David Pemsel to Step Down as Chair of British Fashion Council
LONDON — David Pemsel is exiting the British Fashion Council on Sept. 30, closing a decade-long run on the executive board and four years as chair of the organization behind London Fashion Week and the Fashion Awards.
Industry sources said Pemsel’s exit has been planned for some time, and that the BFC has already been running a quiet, monthslong search for his successor.
The BFC on Thursday said a formal announcement of his successor is due in September, and Pemsel will support an orderly transition before formally exiting the role.
During his chairmanship, the BFC tightened governance, delivered record in-year revenue of 14 million pounds in fiscal 2024-25 and raised 7.2 million pounds through the BFC Foundation.
He also helped secure multimillion-pound, multiyear investment from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and signed off on chief executive officer Laura Weir’s four-year strategy and financial plan “BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth,” which aims to grow the BFC’s gross annual revenue by 38 percent to 18 million pounds by 2030.
Pemsel was the cofounder and CEO of the now-defunct brand and communications firm ScienceMagic.Inc and a former CEO of Guardian Media Group. He joined the BFC as a non-executive director in 2016 and became chair in 2022, succeeding Stephanie Phair.
Weir described Pemsel as “an exceptional chair and an unwavering champion of British fashion.”
“His leadership has helped strengthen the British Fashion Council as an organization, creating the stability, governance and long-term foundations that enable us to deliver our ambitions for the industry. His counsel, commitment and belief in the value of British fashion have helped shape an organization that is stronger, more resilient and better positioned for the future,” added Weir.
Pemsel said it has been an honor to play a part in the journey of strengthening the BFC, securing long-term investment, supporting the next generation of designers and elevating the global profile of British fashion.
“The BFC is entering its next chapter from a position of real strength. I have every confidence in Weir, the board and the outstanding team at the British Fashion Council as they continue to deliver their ambitious vision for the future of British fashion,” he added.
