Today, we are delighted to announce David Pemsel as our new chair. The tenure is for three years. David, previously had a seat on the BFC Executive Board and is the co-founder and CEO of both ScienceMagic.inc (SMI) and ScienceMagic.Studios (SM.S). SMI is a strategic and creative company that connects brands and talent to their communities by combining the power of strategic science, creative magic, and digital experience. SM.S is a digital asset venture studio that advises and implements the creation of digital assets and web3 economies for brands, talent and their communities.
The role of Chair will support Caroline Rush, CEO with the development and implementation of the organisation's strategy and building the profile of British fashion globally.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive British Fashion Council commented: “On behalf of the Board of the British Fashion Council, we are delighted to welcome David into his new role as Chair, and we look forward to working with him to strengthen and elevate the BFC with a focus on creativity, business, and innovation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Stephanie Phair for being a fantastic chair and setting us up for the next chapter.
David Pemsel, Chair British Fashion Council commented: “It is a privilege to take on the role of Chair of the British Fashion Council and to champion the British fashion industry - arguably our country’s most creative sector - at a time of significant change. It is important to the Board that creativity, innovation, and responsible business are at the heart of our strategy now and in the future. The intersection where creativity and business convene has long been my passion, I hope my experience in this space can make a demonstrable impact on an industry that drives such vast economic and cultural value.”
About British Fashion Council
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1983 with the role to strengthen British fashion in the global economy as a leader in responsible, creative businesses. It does this through championing diversity and building and inviting the industry to actively participate in a network to accelerate a successful circular fashion economy. The BFC promotes British fashion internationally and does so through fashion weeks, exhibitions and showcasing events. The BFC helps British designer businesses develop their profile and business globally and supports fashion talent beginning at college level, extending to talent identification, business support and showcasing schemes. The BFC Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 11852152) was created in 2019 for charitable purposes and grant giving; attracting, developing, and retaining talent through education and business mentoring. In its first three years, the BFC Foundation received total donations in excess of £8m. This includes £2.9m of donations that were transferred by the BFC’s legacy charities, BFCVDFF Ltd and the BFC Education Foundation. The BFC Foundation offers support to designers through four talent identification and business support schemes: BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, BFC NEWGEN and the BFC Fashion Trust. With the support of the BFC Colleges Council, the BFC Foundation offers BA and MA scholarships to students, as well as links with industry through design competitions and Graduate Preview Day. In 2020, the BFC launched the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF), with the aim to help the British fashion industry lead in the goal to be more resilient and circular through global collaboration and local action. The BFC showcasing initiatives and events include London Fashion Week Presented by Clearpay taking place every February, June and September; LONDON show ROOMS and the annual celebration of creativity and innovation in the fashion industry: The Fashion Awards.