FROM THE BFA
Footwear50 2024: Movers and makers!
BFA CEO, Richard Shetliffe: “This is a moment for us to pause, reflect and celebrate the individuals and teams that shape and drive our industry forward.”
T
he British Footwear Association (BFA) hosted the much-anticipated Footwear50 2024 event in Central London just before Christmas, bringing together the brightest minds and most innovative leaders in the footwear industry. This year’s Footwear50 list highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of professionals who continue to shape and redefine the sector.
The event, held in partnership with Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags, welcomed attendees from across the globe, including special guests GianPaola and Caterina, who travelled from Italy to join the celebration.
BFA CEO, Richard Shetliffe, set the tone with his opening speech: “The Footwear50, now in its third year, has quickly become a cornerstone of the BFA and the industry calendar. It’s a moment for us to pause, reflect, and celebrate the individuals and teams that shape and drive our industry forward. This year’s list showcases an inspiring mix of professionals – from retailers to designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and advocates for sustainability.”
The Footwear50 celebrates a diverse range of professionals, including trailblazing retailers, visionary designers, skilled manufacturers, and dedicated sustainability advocates. Attendees had the opportunity to network, share ideas, and recognise the achievements of their peers. The event showcased heartfelt stories and reflections from honourees: Deborah Carré & James Ducker, Creative Director & Head of Bespoke, Carréducker: “What we both like and appreciate most about the footwear industry – is the people. It’s not an easy business; it takes grit, but the people are great, welcoming, keen to share, and their enthusiasm is infectious.”
Dean Girling, Director at Gaziano Girling, said: “I’ve always been inspired by shoes made around the world and wanted to keep the industry alive in its home county of Northamptonshire, hence we set up the first shoe factory to be set up in the county for over 100 years.”
As the profiles of the Footwear50 2024 honourees lit up the screens, guests celebrated with drinks, shared stories, and applauded the accomplishments of their peers. The evening was a testament to the strength and camaraderie within the footwear
8 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • JANUARY 2025
community, reaffirming the BFA’s mission to champion and grow the industry. Footwear50 category sponsors included Streathers Solicitors, Buyerdock, ReBound, Goral, Petaurum HR, Covation Bio PDO, RIF Group, and SATRA.
The 2024 list
Here’s a snapshot of just some of the individuals celebrated in the Footwear50 2024 list. From the brands, there’s Donna Hill, Marketing & Digital Director at Jacobson Group; David Foster, Chief Executive of Grubs Boots Limited; and Sebastian Edwards, who is the Men’s Business Manager at Clarks. The Sustainability category recognises those making a real difference in the footwear industry; recipients are setting new standards for how we think about sustainability in our sector. Names include Stuart Davis, CEO
& Co-Founder of Dubs; Nicola Pichel-Juan, Sustainability Services Manager at SATRA; and Will Verona, Founder of Purified Footwear. The Retailers category acknowledges the diverse range of professionals essential to running a successful retail operation, from buyers and directors to owners, managers, and creatives. Recipients include Charles Clinkard, Group Managing Director at The Clinkard Group; Stephanie O’Reilly, Head of PR at schuh; and Josephine Soei, Head of Marketing and Communications at Deichmann.
For the full 2024 list, just head to the BFA website or read the full story on the Footwear Today website
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