Longstanding board advisor and diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) specialist Pavita Cooper has been named the British Fashion Council’s (BFC) new chair, following the announcement of David Pemsel’s pending departure. Cooper will assume her new post on October 1, with Pemsel stepping down on September 30 after a decade-long stint on the executive board, with four years as chair.
In her new role, Cooper will advocate for fashion as a financial and cultural asset to the UK, as well as its strong global reach, working with the BFC’s board, executive leaders, and the industry at large to foster a stronger ecosystem for homegrown talent, enterprise and business, encouraging international expansion. Current executive board member Caroline Issa has been appointed as deputy chair, a new post put in place to support and vouch for the UK’s designer community, drawing on her relationships across the sector. The BFC board approved the hire on August 25.
“I am honored to take on the role of chair of the British Fashion Council,” Cooper said in a statement. “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 leads a talented and dedicated team. I look forward to working with them and the board. I would also like to thank David Pemsel for his exceptional service to the BFC and the fashion industry.”
With strong experience in cross-sector advisory, Cooper has worked between business, government and culture. Her appointment chimes with the BFC’s ongoing mission to better influence policymakers and government, raise investment, and spotlight fashion’s role in the region’s economy and culture. Cooper is currently UK chair for the 30% Club — a voluntary organization committed to improving women’s representation on company boards — and has advised on DEI across various global businesses, working alongside C-suite leaders on gender and race, in particular. She also sits on the board for the King’s Trust, a vocational scheme for disadvantaged young people, and the Old Vic, a non-profit theater in London.
Cooper has held senior leadership roles in talent and organizational development across companies including Shell, Barclays, Christie’s, and Lloyds, with a firm grasp on hiring. She joins the BFC — a non-profit organization funded via government support, patronage, and member fees — during a transition spearheaded by CEO Laura Weir.
For her 2030 strategy — a four-year plan signed off by Pemsel — Weir is focusing on decentralizing fashion from London, creating longer-term support, and better evidencing the BFC’s impact to secure investment and partners. The strategy outlines a DEI goal led by social mobility and better access to the BFC’s prize program, which the organization plans to bolster through data collection, research papers, and the implementation of industry guidance toolkits. Here, Cooper’s expertise could prove valuable.
“We are delighted to welcome Pavita as chair of the BFC board. As we focus on delivering our BFC 2030 strategy, Pavita’s experience, perspective, and understanding of government and policy will be an important complement to our board,” said Weir. “Alongside Caroline Issa as deputy chair, who brings her deep industry expertise and is firmly connected to the fashion community on the ground, we have a powerful combination of insight, influence, and industry experience to help the BFC team deliver in service of British fashion.”
Cooper’s career began in management training for high street retail group Burton. By age 20, she was an assistant manager for Debenhams — then owned by Burton — on London’s Oxford Street, before stepping into HR and head office roles at the group. Later, she made the move into airport retail, leading on HR for the British Airports Authority.
