Pavita Cooper to Chair British Fashion Council as It Pushes Industry Growth

The British Fashion Council has named Pavita Cooper as its incoming chair, effective 1 October 2026. The appointment, announced on 10 September, places a leader with experience across business, government and culture at the head of the organisation’s board as it pursues a strategy focused on access, creativity and growth. David Pemsel will step down on 30 September after ten years on the board, four of them as chair.

Caroline Issa will become deputy chair in a newly created position. The council says Cooper’s remit includes stronger engagement with government, fundraising and support for designers and businesses seeking to grow. Issa’s role brings a direct connection to the designer community. The split of responsibilities suggests that policy and investment concerns will sit alongside the day-to-day needs of creative businesses.

The leadership change arrives at a time when fashion bodies are being asked to demonstrate economic value as well as cultural influence. A new chair cannot by itself solve the financing and market-access challenges facing emerging labels. What matters next is how the council translates its 2030 strategy into measurable support, whether smaller designers gain access to opportunities and whether the industry secures a clearer voice in policy decisions. Cooper’s appointment takes effect next month; the results of that agenda will take longer to judge.