Natalie Massenet to become chairman of British Fashion Council.
Natalie Massenet , the founder of online luxury fashion retailer Net-a-Porter, is to become the new chairman of the British Fashion Council.
Massenet will take up the chairmanship from 1 January 2013, succeeding retailer Harold Tillman who will step down at end of this year.
The British Fashion Council said it had selected Massenet due to her reputation for “innovation and creativity” at the helm of The Net-a-Porter group. It also hopes to benefit from her international profile with media and retailers as well as her relationships with British designers and global luxury brands. As chairman of the BFC, Massenet will be the organisation’s spokesperson, figurehead and industry ambassador and, alongside the board, will be tasked with continuing to grow the profile of the fashion sector globally and the businesses within it.
Commenting on her appointment Massenet said: “I am honoured and excited to be taking on the role of Chairman of The British Fashion Council. Over the past few years The British Fashion Council, led by Harold Tillman and Caroline Rush, has done an extraordinary job of building the profile of our industry worldwide. Not only do we have some of the best creative talent based in London but there are also great British designers working in some of the most high profile luxury design houses in the world. We also have the best understanding of what our industry contributes to the UK economy and what a significant player the British Fashion Industry is and can continue to be.
Never Miss a Retail Update!“My experience is in merging extraordinary creative content with innovative global commerce. From January, together with Caroline Rush and her team, I aim to apply these lessons to my new role, a role I take incredibly seriously.”
Harold Tillman added: “For nearly five years as chair of the British Fashion Council, I have seen the industry grow and develop – taking its role at the top of the fashion world both in terms of stature, and excellence. Of course, I would not be comfortable moving on without securing a successor who I believe can take the baton and propel the BFC further forward. And I am delighted that Natalie Massenet will become our new chair from January 2013.”
The chairmanship of the British Fashion Council is an honorary role with an initial three year term. Advisory board members were asked to put forward names for consideration by the executive board in December 2011 after Harold Tillman confirmed he would stay for one further year.
Massenet will continue in her role as executive chairman of The Net-a-Porter Group.
