Footwear50 in partnership with Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags
Footwear50 celebrates and honours 50 individuals across eight categories within the footwear industry in 2024. The initiative is widely respected and has been embraced by the whole industry.
Chosen through an industry-wide nomination process and pared down by the BFA Board of Directors, these individuals represent the most influential and inspiring figures in the sector.
The initiative is inclusive, welcoming both BFA Members and non-members.
Footwear50 culminates in a networking reception in London, where we officially unveil the celebrated list. This event brings together industry professionals to honour their peers’ exceptional contributions, making Footwear50 a celebrated milestone in the footwear industry calendar.
Brands
Sponsored by ReBound
Brand owners, leaders, creative directors and head designers and other key influencers driving success at leading brands
Jodie Soussan
MD of Europe
Allbirds
Gianni Georgiades
CEO
FitFlop
Rebecca Butler
Head of Product/ Product Development
Consultant
Richard Newcombe
Co-CEO Lacoste Footwear
Pentland Brands
Donna Hill
Marketing & Digital Director
Jacobson Group
Emmanuel Eribo
Co-Founder & CEO
LØCI
David Foster
CEO
Grubs Boots Limited
John Williams
Senior Director – Sales EMEA
On
Adam Meek
Chief Product Officer
Dr. Martens
Sebastian Edwards
Business Manager, Men’s
Clarks
Paul Leigh
Director of Product Development
Merrell
Sustainability
Sponsored by Covation Bio PDO
This category recognises those making a real difference in the footwear industry. They’re setting new standards for how we think about sustainability in our sector.
Will Verona
Founder
Purified Footwear
Stuart Davis
CEO & Co-Founder
Dubs
Cecily Rooney
Sustainability Manager
Axel Arigato
James Milhench
Business Development Manager
Milspeed International
Nicola Pichel-Juan
Sustainability Services Manager
SATRA
Design
Sponsored by Streathers
Originating from innovative start-ups, renowned brands, and forward-thinking design consultancies, this category celebrates both emerging and established design talents
Laura Schofield
Founder and Director
Otto + Ivy
Matt Houghton
Senior Footwear Designer
Represent
Susannah Davda
Shoe Business Consultant
The Shoe Consultant
Tom Astrella
Director
The Footsoldiers Design Consultancy
Freddie Butler
Head of Footwear Design
Mallet Footwear
Michael Brown
Footwear Designer
NEXT
Deborah Carré &
James Ducker
Creative Director &
Head of Bespoke
Carréducker
Footwear Supporters
Sponsored by Petaurum HR
Individuals who provide crucial support and services to the UK footwear sector, offering expertise in areas such as business advice, finance, recruitment, and more
Dan Gyves
Managing Director
Esska
Susan O’Hare
Consultant
Susan O’Hare
Simon Courtney
Divisional Manager – Footwear
SATRA
Carl Hartshorne
Operations Director
Colvanbridge Limited
Manufacturers
Sponsored by GORAL
Influential figures at UK manufacturing facilities and workshops, including production managers, owners and business directors
Tim Little
CEO and Creative Director
Grenson
Daniel Holtby
Director
New Balance Made UK
Brendon Drage-Dawes
Head of Production
Loake Shoemakers
Dean Girling
Director
Gaziano Girling
Paul Harnetty
Operations Director
Hotter Shoes
Graham Williams
International Dance Shoes
Factory Manager
Next Generation
Sponsored by SATRA
Individuals recognised for their innovative approach and dedication, signalling great potential for being part of the next generation of leaders shaping the future of the industry
Adele Williamson
Bespoke Shoemaker
Tricker’s
Barbara Fidler Wieruszewska
Accessories Designer
COS
Elanor Hurst
Production Manager – Made in England
Dr. Martens
Jamie Whitehouse
Operations Director
The Boot Repair Company
Jordan Louise Gray
Children’s Sales & Product Development Manager
T&A Footwear
Shenice Nicholas
Assistant Buyer
Russell & Bromley
Retailers
Sponsored by Buyerdock
Acknowledging the diverse range of professionals essential to running a successful retail operation, from buyers and directors to owners, managers, and creatives
Stephanie O’Reilly
Head of PR
schuh
Charles Clinkard
Group Managing Director
The Clinkard Group
Josephine Soei
Head of Marketing and Communications
Deichmann
Paul Phipps
Associate Director – Footwear, Apparel, Ski, Accessories
JD Outdoor
Robert Carder
Owner
Robert Carder Shoes
Suppliers & Wholesalers
Sponsored by RIF Group
Recognising footwear sourcing companies and wholesalers running well-established and growing businesses across the UK
Abigail Cox
Retail Account Director
William Lamb Group
Rob Wood
Director
Walk This Way Footwear
Matthew Noon
Company Director
Rock Fall UK
Chris Atkinson
National Account Manager
Sterling Safetywear
Stephen Gill
Founder
Footwear Partnerships
Headline Sponsor
Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags
Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags is the premier international exhibition for volume footwear, leather goods, and accessories, organised by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi SpA. Featuring exhibitors from 41 countries and attracting visitors from over 100 countries, it stands out for its global reach and dynamic, multi-venue format. The fair provides a unique platform for networking, innovation, and business in a vibrant atmosphere that blends professional opportunities with a distinctive leisure experience.
“Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags is proud to be the headline sponsor of the BFA Footwear50 event, which recognises the most influential and inspiring figures in the footwear industry. This partnership aligns with our commitment to fostering excellence, innovation, and collaboration in the global footwear community. By supporting Footwear50, we celebrate the remarkable talent and achievements that drive the industry forward, and we look forward to joining the entire community in honouring these exceptional people in 2024.”
GianPaola Pedretti
Exhibition Manager
Category Sponsor
Retailers
Buyerdock is the first to be approved by GS1 to utilise GS1 Digital Link within 2D-QR codes. This approval establishes Buyerdock as a GS1-approved partner, enabling them to generate and supply advanced 2D-QR codes to GS1 standards for brands and manufacturers globally. These codes can be printed on product packaging, meeting retailers’ in-store requirements while enhancing the consumer experience by providing instant access to comprehensive product content via a Web-app, without the need for downloads or registration.
Next Generation
We are an independent testing and research organisation. We accredit laboratories, design, manufacture and install test equipment, and provide production efficiency solutions to customers around the world. Our philosophy is that products can be safer, more durable and perform better through the application of research and innovation in collaboration with business. Our vision is that wherever you are in the world, you will find products enhanced by SATRA technical expertise.
Brands
We’re ReBound, the leading omnichannel returns management specialist. Through a combination of global logistics, advanced returns technology, and sustainable thinking, we’re revolutionizing returns all over the world. We focus on making returns smart, scalable, and simple so that you can focus on growth while offering a sustainable, world-class returns experience to your consumers across the globe.
Manufacturers
The heritage of GORAL ensures that each pair of shoes and trainers uses premium materials.
Our traditional method of crafting footwear is the same as it was over 80 years ago. The last pair of hands which touches the footwear before the customer, is the craftsmen who made the footwear. Aside from being handcrafted, each item is quality checked by the GORAL craftsmen.
Design
Streathers is a growing, boutique London law firm. We help footwear businesses navigate the key legal issues you face across all stages in your life cycle: from setting up a new footwear business and initial fundraising right through to business sales and exits, plus everything in between (commercial contracts, joint ventures, commercial property, employment issues, etc).
We love building long term relationships with our clients and becoming your trusted strategic adviser. As part of the personal service we offer, we will take the time to learn about your business, your strategy and objectives and any challenges you may be facing.
Sustainability
Covation Bio | PDO is a Loudon, Tennessee-based producer of 100% plant-based 1,3-propanediol, formerly known as DuPont Tate & Lyle Biobased Covation Bio | PDO, based in Loudon, Tennessee, produces 100% plant-based 1,3-propanediol, formerly known as DuPont Tate & Lyle Biobased Solutions. Derived from dent corn sugar, their Susterra® and Zemea® propanediol reduce petroleum reliance across industries, from thermoplastics in footwear to cosmetics. This biotechnology enables better-performing products with an improved environmental profile, using carbon from regeneratively farmed, renewable dent corn in the US Midwest.
Suppliers & Wholesalers
We specialise in providing international transportation services, to and from all points in the world, via air, ocean and road. Our comprehensive global network has been established to meet our customers’ ever-changing needs. Few companies are better positioned to help importers and exporters capitalise on the trends that drive the global economy. RIF Worldwide Plc is committed to helping customers achieve their operational and financial objectives through continually offering better, faster and more cost-efficient services.
Footwear Supporters
We make a positive difference to employers and their staff by providing outstanding HR support. Our approach is based on being proactive and providing straightforward HR advice; after all life is complicated enough so HR doesn’t need to be. Whether you’re a start-up or an established businesses, we enjoy working with clients who value their employees and the contribution they make to the success of their organisation.