Caroline Rush
Former chief executive of the British Fashion Council (2009 to 2025)
Caroline Rush led the British Fashion Council as joint chief executive from 2009 and sole chief executive from 2012, until Laura Weir was appointed chief executive in 2025. During her tenure she oversaw London Fashion Week and The Fashion Awards and championed support for emerging British designers.
| Role | Chief executive, British Fashion Council (2009 to 2025) |
|---|---|
| Joint CEO | From March 2009 |
| Sole CEO | From June 2012 |
| Successor | Laura Weir (announced January 2025, in post from April 2025) |
| Honour | CBE (2015) |
Who is Caroline Rush?
Caroline Rush is a British fashion executive who headed the British Fashion Council (BFC), the organisation that promotes British designers in the global market, for around 16 years. She received a CBE in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the British fashion industry. Her years in charge made her one of the most familiar faces of London fashion, representing designers to government, international buyers, sponsors and the media, and speaking regularly at industry conferences about the creative and economic value of the sector.
Career
Rush began her career in public relations and marketing in the early 1990s. In 1998 she started working on BFC projects through Annette Worsley Taylor Associates, and in 2002 she founded the Manchester based PR agency Crush Communications.
She became joint chief executive of the British Fashion Council in March 2009 and sole chief executive in June 2012. In January 2025 the BFC announced Laura Weir, previously executive creative director of Selfridges, as its next chief executive; Weir took up the post in April 2025 and Rush left in June 2025 after a handover period. Her move from agency work into the leadership of a national industry body reflects how central communications and events have become to the business of fashion.
Influence on the fashion business
As chief executive, Rush was responsible for promoting British fashion internationally and for the BFC's flagship platforms. These include:
- London Fashion Week, one of the four major international fashion weeks
- The Fashion Awards, the BFC's annual industry awards
- BFC Foundation programmes such as NEWGEN, scholarships, mentoring and the designer fashion funds run with Vogue and GQ
- LONDON SHOW ROOMS, which present British designers to buyers in Paris
Under her leadership the BFC positioned London as a city of emerging talent, helping many young designers reach international buyers and press. The council also developed a long term strategy, now framed as BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth, which focuses on talent, education and a resilient future for the industry.
Why it matters
British fashion relies on a large number of small, independent designer businesses that need visibility, funding and access to wholesale and retail partners. Rush's long tenure coincided with major shifts, including the growth of digital retail, changes in trade with the European Union and new expectations on sustainability. Her leadership of the BFC shaped how London supports young brands and how the city presents itself on the global fashion calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Caroline Rush?
Caroline Rush is a British fashion executive who led the British Fashion Council as joint chief executive from 2009 and sole chief executive from 2012 until June 2025. She was succeeded by Laura Weir, who took up the post of chief executive in April 2025.
Who is the chief executive of the British Fashion Council?
Laura Weir, formerly executive creative director of Selfridges, has been chief executive of the British Fashion Council since April 2025, succeeding Caroline Rush. The BFC organises London Fashion Week and The Fashion Awards.