BFA names Wilson as it new chair

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Aug 30, 2022

Footwear veteran Jane Wilson has been appointed chair of the British Footwear Association (BFA). She succeeds Robert Perkins who's standing down from the post after more than four years. 

Wilson has been CEO of footwear and accessories firm William Lamb Group since 2018 and has also been an independent consultant to the wider footwear industry. Her previous roles include CEO of Start-Rite Shoes, group product director at Clarks International and co-founder of She is Moot Management Consulting, where clients have included brands such as Ecco. 

BFA CEO, Lucy Reece Raybould, said: "Looking to the future, I very much look forward to achieving the BFA's next goals and objectives with the support and guidance of Jane, whose breadth of experience in the footwear sector has been a welcome addition to the board since she joined in October 2021."

She added: “I would like to thank Robert personally and on behalf of the board for his contribution to the BFA. We have valued his knowledge and the continuity he has provided as a non-executive director and as chairman since 2016”.

Meanwhile, the BFA has also appointed Annette Cove as a non-executive to the board. Cove, the founder of specialist footwear recruitment agency Annette Cove Associates, has a diverse footwear background with Clarks and The British Shoe Corporation, as well as through executive roles at the Pentland Group with both Red or Dead and sports brand Ellesse.

"I am delighted to welcome Annette to the BFA board, and not just for her vast experience and connections across the sector. But also, for the added perspective she brings as a BFA partner, enabling us to reflect all aspects of business and deliver cohesive benefits for BFA members and partners alike," added Reece-Raybould.