Pavita Cooper Takes The Helm At The British Fashion Council As Caroline Issa Becomes Deputy Chair

By Jessica Ye (Jessica Yap)

British fashion is getting a new boss.

Well, technically, the British Fashion Council is getting a new Chair. From 1 October 2026, Pavita Cooper will take over from David Pemsel, while Caroline Issa will step into a newly created role as Deputy Chair.

Pemsel will leave the position after four years as Chair and a decade on the BFC Board.

Cooper comes from a career spanning business, government and culture. She has held senior positions at Lloyds Banking Group and Christie’s, sits on the boards of The King’s Trust and The Old Vic, and chairs the 30% Club, which campaigns for greater representation of women in senior corporate leadership.

Her experience is a long way from the fashion editor’s desk, but that is also the point. The BFC is looking to strengthen its work with government and policymakers, build its fundraising and make a stronger case for fashion’s contribution to the UK economy.

Then there is Caroline Issa.

Already on the BFC Board, Issa will take on the newly created Deputy Chair role. As CEO of Tank Magazine and a long-standing fashion editor and industry figure, she has spent years working closely with designers and the wider fashion industry.

Cooper and Issa come from very different corners of the industry.

Cooper brings years of experience across business and institutions. Issa knows fashion from the inside, having spent much of her career working with and around the designers the BFC represents.

The BFC says Issa’s new role will strengthen its connection with the designer community, while Cooper will focus on areas including government relations, fundraising and supporting British fashion businesses as they grow.

The appointments come as the BFC works towards its BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth strategy, which sets out its plans for the future of British fashion.

“I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of the British Fashion Council,” Cooper says. “My priority will be to champion fashion as an important driver of UK growth and help strengthen the environment in which British designers, entrepreneurs and businesses can start, scale and compete globally.”

Laura Weir will continue as Chief Executive, while Pemsel officially steps down on 30 September.

There is plenty happening in British fashion, and the BFC has a big job ahead of it. From October, Cooper and Issa will be helping decide what comes next.

Featured Image: Pavita Cooper | Photograph by Sane Sevan