British Fashion Council names Science Magic Inc chief David Pemsel as new chair

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has named co-founder and CEO Science Magic Inc, David Pemsel, as its new chair, succeeding Stephanie Phair who announced she was stepping down earlier this month.

Pemsel, who will hold the role for a three-year tenure, has previously had a seat on the BFC Executive Board. He is the co-founder and CEO of both Science Magic Inc (SMI) and Science Magic Studios (SM.S), the strategic consultancy and digital asset studio for fashion and beauty brands. He was previously CEO at Guardian Media Group.

His role will be to support BFC CEO Caroline Rush with the development and implementation of the organisation's strategy and building the profile of British fashion globally. 

Rush said of the appointment: “On behalf of the Board of the British Fashion Council, we are delighted to welcome David into his new role as Chair, and we look forward to working with him to strengthen and elevate the BFC with a focus on creativity, business, and innovation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Stephanie Phair for being a fantastic chair and setting us up for the next chapter." 

David Pemsel commented: “It is a privilege to take on the role of Chair of the British Fashion Council and to champion the British fashion industry - arguably our country’s most creative sector - at a time of significant change. It is important to the Board that creativity, innovation, and responsible business are at the heart of our strategy now and in the future. The intersection where creativity and business convene has long been my passion, I hope my experience in this space can make a demonstrable impact on an industry that drives such vast economic and cultural value.” 

His appointment comes just as London Fashion Week was drawn to a close. This year's event was disrupted by the death and funeral of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II with some shows cancelled as a result. Nonetheless many shows did go ahead and respects to that late Monarch were paid at each event. Read our review of the highlights of the SS23 season here.

The role of chair at the BFC has been held by some of the industry's best known names. Farfetch executive Stephanie Phair took over the role from Net-A-Porter founder Dame Natalie Massenet. Prior to Massenet the role was held by fashion industry entrepreneur Harold Tillman and before that the then CEO at Marks & Spencer Lord Stuart Rose.

Pemsel joined forces with The Communications Store founders Daniel Marks and Julietta Dexter to establish Science Magic Inc in 2020.