Today the Footwear Industry continues to be a substantial part of the UK economy, with £6bn of shoes sold annually in the UK, plus exports in excess of £500m.

The British Footwear Association, which is in its one hundred and thirteenth year, represents over 100 key footwear companies employing 9,000 people.

Member companies represent manufacture, import, design and source specialists. All sizes of companies are represented including major international brands, smaller innovative labels, as well as high profile suppliers to the High Street.

The one factor all our Members have in common is a commitment to high service levels and pride in craftsmanship and innovative design.

Our mission at the BFA is to help create and establish a favourable operating environment by supporting our Members in all aspects of their business. To that end the BFA provide Members with specialist advice and unique services, which are only possible due to our understanding of their businesses and the industry.

The BFA is responsible for representing the industry’s interests with the Government and other trade bodies and for raising the national profile of the sector.

The benefits of being a British Footwear Association Member are covered elsewhere on this website, which is the first port of call for information about the Footwear Industry in the UK and linked organisations.

Big or small, the BFA is relevant to each Member company and together the industry is stronger for that.

 

The BFA Board

The BFA Board is drawn from all sections of the Footwear industry and the Non-Executive Directors give their time freely to set the strategic and operating performance of the Association.

 

Board Members

Non Executive Chairman: Phil Luckett – Chief Executive, Dunkelman & Sons Ltd

Executive Director: Richard Kottler – Chief Executive

 

Non-Executive Directors:

Stephen Etheridge – Group Chief Executive, Church Group

Andrew Loake – Chairman and Managing Director, Loake Bros Ltd

Michael Kelly – Commercial Chief Executive and Joint Chairman of the Sutton Group

Paul Humphrey – Group HR Director, R Griggs Group

Adam Marsden – Head of Sales – UK and ROI, Clarks International

Matt Rock – Managing Director, Pentland Footwear Division

John Hawksfield – Independent part time Financial Director

 

The operational team is:

Richard Kottler – Chief Executive

Elaine Davies – Company Secretary

Sarah Carver – Administration Assistant

Karen Green – Accounts

Rachel Plimmer – Accounts Assistant

Nicholas Parry-Billings – Marketing Consultant

Martin Baker – Distribution Consultant