The British Footwear Association (BFA) has appointed three new directors to its Non-Executive Board of Directors to help drive the Association’s strategy forward. Joining in October 2021 is Jane Wilson, chief executive of the William Lamb Group; Rink Bindra, Head of Omni Channel at Tower London, and also William Miles, partner at Briffa.

The appointments follow a stringent recruitment process hosted by the BFA Nominations Committee made up of Vanessa Podmore, leader and founder of Podmore Consulting; Dan Gyves, director of Esska, as well as Mike Watson-Smith, sourcing director at Dr. Martens.

Commenting is Lucy Reece Raybould, chief executive officer of the BFA. “More than 50 BFA Members enquired about joining our Board of Directors and we received more than 20 formal applications. We had so many amazing people step forward. It really is a testament to the resilience and optimism being demonstrated by our Members and the continuing success of our new Association-wide strategy, which is inspiring confidence and collaboration.”

Refreshed strategy and new personalities will continue driving the Association forward.

Jane Wilson has an impressive history in the footwear sector, having worked at Start-Rite Shoes, ECCO and Clarks International before becoming the chief executive of the William Lamb Group in 2018. She is also a partner in MOOT Management Consulting.

Commenting on her appointment, Wilson says: “I am proud to be joining the Board of the BFA. I have been impressed, particularly during lockdown, with the engagement and commitment from the current Board to support and represent its Members during some of the most challenging times in recent years. I look forward to playing my part, helping to drive the agenda and create a vibrant, relevant and effective body representing all facets of the footwear industry.”

Meanwhile, Rink Bindra joins the BFA Board with a strong commercial and entrepreneurial background. He has also spent the last nine years in the footwear trade.

Bindra says: “As Head of Omni Channel at Tower with responsibility for retail, online and logistics, I revel in the daily challenge of being involved in the running of a fast-moving fashion footwear business. It’s a total honour for me to be asked to become a director of the BFA. I am excited to work with the entire Board and develop the changes the Association has planned and has already started to implement.”

Finally, William Miles is an intellectual property lawyer. He has been advising BFA Members and clients in the footwear industry for more than seven years with a focus on dispute resolution and litigation. Miles says: “I am delighted to be joining the BFA’s Board. As an industry ‘outsider,’ I hope to bring a new perspective to the role. The BFA is a brilliant organisation and I know just how vital its work is to its Members. I relish the opportunity to contribute to this in any way possible.”

This trio of new directors will join existing Board Members Robert Perkins, chairman of Bridgehouse Consulting; William Church, joint managing director of Cheaney Shoes; Paul Savrimoothoo, commercial director at Pentland Brands, in addition to Vanessa Podmore and Mike Watson Smith. Stepping down from the BFA Board of Directors are Daniel Gyves of Esska and also Daniel Rubin, founder and CEO of The Dune Group.

These changes at the director level come at an exciting time for the BFA.

The Association has also announced the establishment of four Working Groups, each themed to address one of the Association’s core areas of focus: Commerce & Trade; Marketing & Representation; Production, Training & Future Technologies, and Sustainability & Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG). Representatives include trailblazers from leading footwear brands and businesses in the BFA membership community such as Jacobson Group; Charles Clinkard; Schuh; T&A Footwear; Marsh Footwear Brands; Dr. Martens; Vivobarefoot and John Lobb.

Reece Raybould adds: “This is just the start. We hope from now on there will be a continuous process of new directors stepping onto the Board to help drive our Association forward. In addition, our four Working Groups will set the stage for the BFA’s development, and I believe these panels will be the stepping-stones for new our Directors of the future.”

For further information about the BFA, please click here.

Picture Caption: The BFA Board of Directors 2021 including clockwise from left to right: Jane Wilson; Paul Savrimoothoo; William Church; Rink Bindra; William Miles; Vanessa Podmore; Robert Perkins and Lucy Reece Raybould.