The British Fashion Council (BFC) has named Selfridges chief creative Laura Weir as its new CEO, effective from 28 April. Caroline Rush, who announced in September that she intended to step down as CEO after almost 16 years, will exit in June following a handover.

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Laura Weir as incoming CEO of the BFC,” said BFC chair David Pemsel in a statement. “Laura has worked alongside established and emerging designers, creative talent, industry leaders and press throughout her career over the past two decades. Her experience gives her an understanding of the complexities of the fashion industry ecosystem, as well as the strategic foresight to be able to lead positive transformation and initiatives to drive the next chapter of the BFC, both domestically and globally, supported by a brilliant team.”

Weir began her career as a fashion journalist, working for titles including Drapers (as fashion editor), The Sunday Times (fashion features director) and British Vogue (fashion features editor). In 2015, she was appointed editor-in-chief of the London Evening Standard’s weekly supplement, ES Magazine, where she spearheaded its redesign. Notable achievements during her tenure included a series of powerful covers created by artists to pay tribute to London’s resilience in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 (which killed 72 of the tower’s residents) and other past tragedies, including the 7/7 bombings.

After she left ES Magazine in 2019, Weir set up her own creative strategy agency specialising in communications and creative direction. She joined Selfridges in January 2023, overseeing the creative and marketing and communications teams.

Weir is an advocate for the creative industries and has been a member of the BFC’s press committee for the past nine years, as well as an advisor to Bafta for five, sitting on its EE Rising Star jury panel. She is also an advisor to Earnt, a platform that connects brands with good causes, and has previously been a committee member of the Royal Academy of Arts.

She joins the BFC at a tempestuous time for the British fashion industry, which is facing myriad challenges in the wake of Brexit and the pandemic, and following the collapse of Matches. Still, the UK retains an unparalleled reputation for producing new talent, including many designers that have gone on to lead the world’s biggest fashion houses. Last year, London Fashion Week celebrated its 40th anniversary with a slew of debuts and parties.

“I am honoured to lead the BFC’s next chapter at an exciting and pivotal time for the British fashion industry,” Weir said. “I look forward to working with the BFC team to champion culture and creativity, to catalyse growth for British fashion, both domestically and globally. I will focus on support for emerging and established designers, and strengthening our pipeline of British creative talent.”

“The BFC will continue to deliver an enhanced international industry presence, and I look forward to forging partnerships with industry and government to future-proof the sector and its significant contribution to the British economy, while addressing critical challenges such as environmental responsibility and prioritising representation and inclusion,” she continued.

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