Latest news with #Blackett
Fashion Network
7 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Big-hitter Karen Blackett joins BFC board
High-profile government, media and marketing specialist Karen Blackett is set to bring a 'wealth of experience' to the British Fashion Council 's (BFC) board of directors. She succeeds June Sarpong, whose board tenure ends this month. Recognised as a 'globally-renowned business leader', Blackett has held senior positions at leading marketing agencies and has extensive expertise in government engagement, the BFC said. The latter associations include as No 10 Downing Street's business ambassador to the Department for International Trade, non-executive board member for The Cabinet Office, and the prime minister's Race Equality Business Champion. Blackett 'has also been instrumental in driving diversity and inclusion initiatives' within her roles. David Pemsel, chair, British Fashion Council, said: 'Karen's appointment comes at a critical time for the British fashion industry. She brings an established relationship with 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.' Blackett added: 'I can ensure that the contributions of the British fashion industry are understood, championed and cherished. It's a sector we should be extremely proud of and one where we continue to pioneer.'
Fashion Network
7 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Big-hitter Karen Blackett joins BFC board
High-profile government, media and marketing specialist Karen Blackett is set to bring a 'wealth of experience' to the British Fashion Council 's (BFC) board of directors. She succeeds June Sarpong, whose board tenure ends this month. Recognised as a 'globally-renowned business leader', Blackett has held senior positions at leading marketing agencies and has extensive expertise in government engagement, the BFC said. The latter associations include as No 10 Downing Street's business ambassador to the Department for International Trade, non-executive board member for The Cabinet Office, and the prime minister's Race Equality Business Champion. Blackett 'has also been instrumental in driving diversity and inclusion initiatives' within her roles. David Pemsel, chair, British Fashion Council, said: 'Karen's appointment comes at a critical time for the British fashion industry. She brings an established relationship with 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.' Blackett added: 'I can ensure that the contributions of the British fashion industry are understood, championed and cherished. It's a sector we should be extremely proud of and one where we continue to pioneer.'
Fashion Network
7 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Big-hitter Karen Blackett joins BFC board
High-profile government, media and marketing specialist Karen Blackett is set to bring a 'wealth of experience' to the British Fashion Council 's (BFC) board of directors. She succeeds June Sarpong, whose board tenure ends this month. Recognised as a 'globally-renowned business leader', Blackett has held senior positions at leading marketing agencies and has extensive expertise in government engagement, the BFC said. The latter associations include as No 10 Downing Street's business ambassador to the Department for International Trade, non-executive board member for The Cabinet Office, and the prime minister's Race Equality Business Champion. Blackett 'has also been instrumental in driving diversity and inclusion initiatives' within her roles. David Pemsel, chair, British Fashion Council, said: 'Karen's appointment comes at a critical time for the British fashion industry. She brings an established relationship with 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.' Blackett added: 'I can ensure that the contributions of the British fashion industry are understood, championed and cherished. It's a sector we should be extremely proud of and one where we continue to pioneer.'
Fashion United
03-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
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.
Press and Journal
20-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Aberdeenshire councillor Geva Blackett vows 'never to shop in Aberdeen city centre again' after bus gate fine
A Deeside councillor has vowed never to shop in Aberdeen city centre again after being slapped with a fine for accidentally driving through a bus gate. Geva Blackett recently found herself 'entangled in blue paint' as she tried to cross from the Bon Accord Centre to Union Square. The independent councillor, who lives in Braemar, comes to Aberdeen every two months to get her hair done at Linton and Mac on Netherkirkgate. This trip, she tells The P&J, would usually be combined with some grocery shopping at the former Marks and Spencer a short walk away at St Nicholas Square. The flagship store closed earlier this month as retail bosses focus on the £15 million expansion of their Union Square branch. And Mrs Blackett thought this would be a great opportunity to check out the revamp, buy some strawberries for her grandchildren and make a day of her visit to the city. This was until she suddenly found herself 'trapped' in the Guild Street bus gate… Speaking to The Press and Journal, Mrs Blackett admits that as an Aberdeenshire resident she didn't really know what the bus gates were or how to navigate them. So when it came to her first attempt at crossing through the city centre, she thought 'the responsible thing to do' would be to seek advice from Google Maps. However, the app suggested that the quickest way to Union Square would be through Guild Street, which is now strictly for buses and taxis. It wasn't until Mrs Blackett saw the big blue patch with the words BUS GATE that she realised what she had done. 'I just knew…,' she said. 'I went home and told my husband that I've been through the bus gates, but I was just doing what Google Maps was telling me to do… 'I've read about the bus gates but I hadn't really thought about it much. Living in Braemar, they don't really affect you, do they? Until you get caught that is.' A few days later, Mrs Blackett was served the 'very threatening' bus gate fine for £100, allowing her to pay £50 then and there, or £150 later on if she ignored it. She paid it, but is now adamant to never risk ending up in this situation again. Business leaders in Aberdeen have previously warned the 'anti-car' rejig of the city centre is a deterrent for Aberdeenshire shoppers, who now prefer to go elsewhere. And Mrs Blackett agrees with that, stressing that the bus gates put off particularly those – like herself – who are not necessarily confident with driving in the big city. She adds: 'You're watching what other cars are doing, you're concentrating in traffic, thinking of where you're trying to go, and then suddenly – BLUE PAINT! What is that? 'And then, I couldn't do anything when I realised I was in the middle of it… I was so confused that I gave up the idea of going to M&S altogether and just carried on. 'So instead of making a day of it – perhaps going to Union Square after my hairdresser, seeing a film, having a meal, doing some shopping – I did nothing and got a fine for it.' Mrs Blackett has now vowed never to attempt driving through Aberdeen city centre and go for her shopping to Westhill instead. The 'worst of it all', she adds, is that it is the high street retailers that will bear the brunt of it all. And she says that she fully backs them in their battle against the traffic restrictions, which they are now on the verge of taking to court. Council data shows that city leaders will be forced to refund £1m worth of bus gate fines to drivers if traders succeed in their crusade to get the system scrapped. 'I feel very sorry for the retailers, and I'm definitely on side with them,' Mrs Blackett adds. 'I can't see myself going back to that part of Aberdeen so that's another potential shopper the city has lost. 'Unless you really understood the bus gates, why would you risk a £100 fine? 'From now on, I'm just going to go to my hairdresser, then turn around and go to Westhill.'
