The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced that David Pemsel will step down as chair on 30 September 2026, ending a decade on its executive board as the organisation prepares for new leadership after a period of financial and strategic expansion.

Pemsel joined the BFC board in 2016 and became chair in 2022, succeeding Stephanie Phair, and has overseen changes including stronger governance, record revenue and increased investment during his four-year chairmanship. The BFC said the process to appoint his successor is under way, with an announcement expected in September.

During Pemsel’s chairmanship, the BFC recorded record in-year revenue of £14 million in financial year 2024/25 and raised £7.2 million through the BFC Foundation. The organisation also secured multi-million-pound, multi-year investment from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Pemsel appointed Laura Weir as chief executive and contributed to the BFC’s first four-year organisational strategy and financial plan, BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth. The strategy targets a 38 per cent increase in gross annual revenue to £18 million by 2030, according to WWD.

Weir said Pemsel had been “an exceptional Chair and an unwavering champion of British fashion”, adding that his leadership had created “stability, governance and long-term foundations” for the organisation. She credited him with helping strengthen the BFC’s position and supporting its ambitions for the wider fashion industry.

Pemsel said: “It has been an immense privilege to serve the British Fashion Council for the past ten years and as Chair over the last four.” He said he was proud of the organisation’s work to secure long-term investment, support emerging designers and raise the global profile of British fashion.

The BFC said Pemsel will continue supporting the organisation through an orderly transition before leaving the role. No reason for his departure was given in the BFC’s announcement.

His tenure included several high-profile initiatives involving the wider fashion industry. London Fashion Week opened the London Stock Exchange, while the BFC represented the sector at Downing Street and continued developing The Fashion Awards, which raises funds for the BFC Foundation’s scholarships, mentoring and business development programmes.

The BFC said its foundation initiatives have supported 75 designers, while Pemsel’s decade of service included engagement with seven UK prime ministers. His departure comes as the organisation develops Fashion Britain, a new initiative announced last month bringing together cities, cultural institutions, retailers, designers, businesses and educators.

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