The BFC said its board chose Massenet in recognition of her reputation for innovation and creativity in a statement released Wednesday evening. In her new role, Massenet will serve as an industry figurehead and advocate for British fashion, while maintaining her executive chairmanship of the Net-a-porter Group.
Massenet will join the BFC for an initial three-year term from 1 January 2013, after Tillman vacates the post he has held since 2008. She said she was honoured and excited to take on the role.
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, Massenet said in a statement. 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. 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.
Outgoing chairman Tillman said he was delighted by the appointment.
I would not be comfortable moving on without securing a successor who I believe can take the baton and propel the BFC further forward, he said. And I am delighted that Natalie Massenet will become our new chair from January 2013.
