British Fashion Council Names Laura Weir Next CEO

Selfridges creative director Laura Weir is set to take over from Caroline Rush as chief executive of the British Fashion Council at the end of April, the organisation said Monday.

Rush has led the nonprofit that coordinates London Fashion Week and represents fashion creatives in the UK for the past 15 years. Her departure was announced in September. She will continue to work at the organisation until June to provide time for a handover.

Weir is taking over at a challenging moment for the industry, with London’s relevance as a fashion capital fading and young creatives struggling to make it in a cutthroat industry.

She brings experience from years working in fashion media and consulting for the sector.

“Laura has worked alongside established and emerging designers, creative talent, industry leaders and press throughout her career over the past two decades,” said BFC chair David Pemsel. “Her experience gives her an understanding of the complexities of the fashion industry ecosystem, and the strategic foresight to be able to lead positive transformation and initiatives to drive the next chapter of the BFC both domestically and globally.”

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British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush to Step Down

The executive joined the BFC in 2009, moving into the CEO role from the PR firm she founded.