The British Fashion Council announced the appointments of British designer Clare Waight Keller, creative director of Uniqlo, and Kate Varah, executive director and co-chief executive of the National Theatre, to its executive board.

Both appointments signal a renewed focus on supporting the interests of the British fashion community and strengthening the organisation’s leadership at the intersection of creativity, culture, and public impact.

Clare Waight Keller brings extensive creative leadership and global industry experience to the Board. Having served as Artistic Director and Creative Director at leading international luxury houses, including Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and Givenchy, she oversaw pivotal creative evolutions and the strategic scaling of brand heritage on a global stage.

In 2023, following her acclaimed collaboration with Uniqlo, Clare was appointed the brand’s first-ever Creative Director, redefining the synergy between high-level design and global accessibility through a lens of innovation and scale.

Clare’s appointment reflects the BFC’s commitment, under Laura Weir’s leadership, to placing designer support at the heart of its governance. By leveraging her expertise in navigating the complexities of modern creative ecosystems, the BFC ensures its strategic direction is informed by the lived realities of building and sustaining creative businesses today. Her experience in integrated brand architecture and international growth will be instrumental in keeping designer needs central to the BFC’s future priorities.

Kate Varah brings expertise in cultural leadership, transformation, and income generation. During her tenure to date at the National Theatre, and before that, leading The Old Vic, she has played a central role in shaping some of the UK’s most significant cultural institutions, overseeing major organisational change while expanding their reach, relevance, and resilience. Highly experienced at partnering with artists to deliver commercial and social impact outcomes, Kate is a strong advocate for the power of the creative industries and the importance of public participation and digital reach. During her time at the National, her focus has been on democratising access to world-class theatre for audiences in theatres, cinemas, homes, classrooms, and communities across the UK and globally.

Kate’s appointment reflects the BFC’s commitment to driving public participation in the British fashion industry, deepening its ties with the wider creative and cultural sector,s and recognising the shared challenges and opportunities facing fashion, art,s and culture today, from access to creative education and long-term investment in talent.

“I’m proud that the BFC is welcoming Clare and Kate to the Board at a defining moment for the BFC and for British fashion. These appointments reflect our ambition to drive meaningful strategic connections between British fashion and the wider creative economy and to ensure that the lived experience of designers informs every part of our work. Their expertise will be invaluable as we deliver a renewed mission for the BFC and its community," said Laura Weir, chief executive, British Fashion Council.