BFC taps Karen Blackett to board of directors
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is turning to the expertise of former government official and marketing leader Karen Blackett to flesh out its board of directors. Blackett's appointment to the board comes as June Sarpong prepares to wrap up her tenure at the organisation by the end of June.
Blackett brings to the BFC experience at leading marketing agencies and government engagement, having served as a Department for International Trade Business Ambassador for 10 Downing Street, a non-executive board member for The Cabinet Office and as a former race equality business champion for the prime minister.
It is exactly this that BFC chair, David Pemsel, was drawn to in bringing Blackett on board. Speaking on her appointment, Pemsel said: 'She brings an established relationship with the government and a strong track record in shaping policy and fostering cross-sector collaboration. Her invaluable experience will strengthen the BFC's ability to advocate for the industry and ensure British fashion remains a vital part of the UK's cultural and economic landscape.' Former government official to inject expertise into shifting BFC
As part of the BFC board, Blackett will join in the council's mission to champion British fashion through programmes intended to elevate creative talent. In her own statement, Blackett said she was excited to join the team and 'help however I can [to] ensure that the contributions of the British fashion industry are understood, championed and cherished'. She continued: 'It's a sector we should be extremely proud of and one where we continue to pioneer.'
Blackett joins the BFC as it continues to overhaul its structure, evidenced by its refocus on creating 'a catalyst for change' and uplifting emerging, local talent. In 2023, Pemsel issued a letter addressed to BFC members detailing the idea behind the overhaul, and its overall mission to revive the local fashion industry. Much of this centred on rebranding LFW June, which had initially been dedicated to menswear, but will now no longer exist, much like its former January fashion week.
Blackett's relations with the government is also critical, given that the BFC has often called on politicians to enact and reinstate policies, such as VAT-free shopping for tourists, to benefit the local fashion industry. In January 2025, the BFC successfully secured new financing from the UK government to back its BFC NewGen programme for emerging designers, supporting show venues, presentation costs and business mentoring for participants.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Britain is ALREADY at war with Russia and ‘we are in pretty big trouble' admits defence expert in bombshell warning
Moscow has been 'menacing the UK in various different ways' for years GONE TO WAR Britain is ALREADY at war with Russia and 'we are in pretty big trouble' admits defence expert in bombshell warning RUSSIA is already at war with Britain, an author of the Government's defence review has warned. Fiona Hill, who was the White House's chief Russia adviser during Donald Trump's first term, delivered the stark warning of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin. 4 An author of the Government's defence review has warned that Britain is already at war with Russia Credit: EPA 4 Kharkiv, in Eastern Ukraine, was blitz by Russian missiles in retaliation for last week's Spider Web attack Credit: East2West 4 Fiona Hill, an author of the Government's defence review Credit: Getty She said: 'We are in pretty big trouble. "Russia has hardened as an adversary in ways that we probably hadn't anticipated.' Ms Hill said Moscow has been 'menacing the UK in various different ways' for years, including poisonings and assassinations on British soil, carrying out cyber attacks and cutting sea cables. In her grim alert, the Kremlin expert said: 'Russia is at war with us.' read more on russia WHITE VAN WHAM Army bosses to buy drones that can be fired from VANS after Ukraine op And she warned that Britain can no longer rely on US military might to protect itself from enemy states. Ms Hill co-wrote the Strategic Defence Review, which warned the UK is facing its biggest threats since the Cold War — and set out plans to urgently build more bombs and guns to arm ourselves. Her comments came as Russian missiles blitzed Kharkiv, killing three people and injuring at least 22, including a six-week-old baby and a 14-year-old girl. The eastern Ukrainian city was struck by 48 drones, two missiles and five glider bombs as part of a huge, countrywide bombardment by Putin in retaliation for last week's Spider Web attack on his nuclear bombers. PM Sir Keir Starmer used an article in last week's Sun on Sunday to deliver his starkest warning yet of the danger of war. Putting the nation on a war footing, he said Britain must prepare to 'sight and win' against our enemies. New footage of Op Spiderweb shows drone blitzing Putin's burning aircraft
Rhyl Journal
3 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
McDonald's new food and drinks menu for June 2025- full list
The June menu will bring both sweet and savoury treats to the fast food chain's restaurants nationwide. Some items are new to McDonald's while others have been available before and are returning for summer. From the new and returning items to when you can buy them and customer reaction, here's everything we know about the new McDonald's menu. A new Big Arch burger is making its way to restaurants and will be available to buy for £7.99 on its own or £9.99 as a medium meal. A large meal will cost £10.79. The new burger consists of two 100% British and Irish beef patties, white cheddar cheese slices, crispy onions, fresh onions, shredded lettuce, crunchy pickles and a generous layer of signature Big Arch sauce. The new Big Arch sauce is rich and creamy, the fast food chain explains. If you'd like to treat yourself to something sweet, you can look out for the new Toffee Crisp McFlurry - soft dairy ice cream with Toffee Crisp pieces and toffee sauce (£2.39). Alternatively, you can choose the new Toffee Apple Pie, a crispy pastry filled with a rich toffee flavour (£2.09). The new menu will see some new Toffee Crisp items and some returning savoury treats (Image: McDonald's) Returning to the McDonald's menu for June is the Cheesy McCrispy which consists of a 100% chicken breast fillet in a crispy coating served with lettuce, crispy onions, pink pickled onion chutney, bacon, Emmental cheese and deluxe cheese sauce. A Cheesy McCrispy burger on its own will cost £6.69 or you can make it a medium meal for £8.49. A large meal will set you back £9.29. Halloumi Fries are also returning to the summer menu with a Sweet Chilli Dip included. A box of four will cost £2.99 while a Sharebox will cost you £7.59. The Katsu Chicken One wrap is staying on the menu at McDonald's. If you haven't tried it yet, you can expect a wrap with either crispy or grilled chicken (you choose), coated in katsu sauce with crispy onions, cucumber and fresh lettuce, wrapped in a warm, toasted tortilla. If you buy the Katsu wrap by itself, it will cost you £3.49 or £2.29 if it's the wrap of the day. Make it a medium meal and it'll set you back £5.29. Deliveroo Plus is now offering McDonald's food with some offers available - from Monday, June 2 until Sunday, June 15 you can get 6-piece Chicken McNuggets for free when you spend £15 (available daily from 11am–5am). From Monday, June 2 until – Sunday, June 8, you can spend £10+ via McDelivery and enjoy a free Breakfast Wrap, available from 11am daily. When you spend £15+, you can also bag a free Big Mac. On TikTok, people shared their reactions to others trying the burger early. With some countries already having it on their menu, some told other people their own experiences. One said: 'tried it in disneyland paris on the weekend & it was LUSHHHH'. Another person said the new burger 'looks unreal'. Recommended reading: New 'iconic' McDonald's burger with the 'most loaded bite we've ever served' What's on the McDonald's menu for breakfast (and when you can get it) McDonald's discontinues 'best' menu item leaving fans asking 'how can I complain' Reacting to someone trying the burger in Canada last year, one said: 'it looks so yummmmy!!!' while another commented: 'Ok brb (be right back) heading to McDonald's 😂'. McDonald's customers can buy items from the new June menu from Wednesday, June 18. The menu will be available for a limited time only, so be sure to try it out before it goes.
South Wales Guardian
5 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
McDonald's new food and drinks menu for June 2025- full list
The June menu will bring both sweet and savoury treats to the fast food chain's restaurants nationwide. Some items are new to McDonald's while others have been available before and are returning for summer. From the new and returning items to when you can buy them and customer reaction, here's everything we know about the new McDonald's menu. A new Big Arch burger is making its way to restaurants and will be available to buy for £7.99 on its own or £9.99 as a medium meal. A large meal will cost £10.79. The new burger consists of two 100% British and Irish beef patties, white cheddar cheese slices, crispy onions, fresh onions, shredded lettuce, crunchy pickles and a generous layer of signature Big Arch sauce. The new Big Arch sauce is rich and creamy, the fast food chain explains. If you'd like to treat yourself to something sweet, you can look out for the new Toffee Crisp McFlurry - soft dairy ice cream with Toffee Crisp pieces and toffee sauce (£2.39). Alternatively, you can choose the new Toffee Apple Pie, a crispy pastry filled with a rich toffee flavour (£2.09). The new menu will see some new Toffee Crisp items and some returning savoury treats (Image: McDonald's) Returning to the McDonald's menu for June is the Cheesy McCrispy which consists of a 100% chicken breast fillet in a crispy coating served with lettuce, crispy onions, pink pickled onion chutney, bacon, Emmental cheese and deluxe cheese sauce. A Cheesy McCrispy burger on its own will cost £6.69 or you can make it a medium meal for £8.49. A large meal will set you back £9.29. Halloumi Fries are also returning to the summer menu with a Sweet Chilli Dip included. A box of four will cost £2.99 while a Sharebox will cost you £7.59. The Katsu Chicken One wrap is staying on the menu at McDonald's. If you haven't tried it yet, you can expect a wrap with either crispy or grilled chicken (you choose), coated in katsu sauce with crispy onions, cucumber and fresh lettuce, wrapped in a warm, toasted tortilla. If you buy the Katsu wrap by itself, it will cost you £3.49 or £2.29 if it's the wrap of the day. Make it a medium meal and it'll set you back £5.29. Deliveroo Plus is now offering McDonald's food with some offers available - from Monday, June 2 until Sunday, June 15 you can get 6-piece Chicken McNuggets for free when you spend £15 (available daily from 11am–5am). From Monday, June 2 until – Sunday, June 8, you can spend £10+ via McDelivery and enjoy a free Breakfast Wrap, available from 11am daily. When you spend £15+, you can also bag a free Big Mac. On TikTok, people shared their reactions to others trying the burger early. With some countries already having it on their menu, some told other people their own experiences. One said: 'tried it in disneyland paris on the weekend & it was LUSHHHH'. Another person said the new burger 'looks unreal'. Recommended reading: New 'iconic' McDonald's burger with the 'most loaded bite we've ever served' What's on the McDonald's menu for breakfast (and when you can get it) McDonald's discontinues 'best' menu item leaving fans asking 'how can I complain' Reacting to someone trying the burger in Canada last year, one said: 'it looks so yummmmy!!!' while another commented: 'Ok brb (be right back) heading to McDonald's 😂'. McDonald's customers can buy items from the new June menu from Wednesday, June 18. The menu will be available for a limited time only, so be sure to try it out before it goes.
