As a membership-based organisation, the British Footwear Association is made up of a network of UK based footwear manufacturers, designers, wholesalers, service providers and retailers.
Our focus is to promote and enable the footwear sector both domestically and across the globe through a range of activities.
With members ranging from the smallest artisan shoe-makers to the largest and best known brands in the world, the BFA’s reach and exposure is significant. Through our membership, links to Government and internal resources, we provide expertise, support, advice, guidance and insight across a wide range of topics, ensuring we help each and every member achieve their goals.
We are strong believers that ‘together we are stronger’. We use this mantra to help unite the UK footwear industry and reinforce its global reputation for world leading, high quality and original footwear products and services.
On 1st December 1898 Company 59737, The British Footwear Manufacturers Federation (BFMF) was registered. This registration formalised the existing affiliation of UK Regional Footwear Manufacturing bodies. The BFMF changed its name to the British Footwear Association at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 27th March 1996.
Led by the BFA Board
Our Board of Directors-led Working Groups meet on a quarterly and bi-annual basis to discuss various topics that are relevant to the core strategies at the heart of the BFA. By hosting these Working Groups, we ensure the BFA addresses key concerns and stays on track to achieve its future goals.
Membership & Marketing
Commerce & Trade: Ecommerce,Customs and Duty
Production, Training & Future Technologies
Sustainability & Environmental, Social, And Governance (ESG)
Each Working Group contains at least one Director from the BFA Non-Executive Board of Directors. They share information directly with the Executive team to enable them to focus on what matters most to Members in these areas. These Groups also foster the qualities and skills we look for in future BFA Board Members and we welcome new participation.
Enquire About Our Sector Roles
The BFA participates in sector-wide groups to achieve shared goals. We operate as secretariat for a joint committee on health and safety issues alongside Community Union, UKFT and UK Leather, and for the FIJCC which mediates factory and manufacturing employee relationships with Community Trade Union.
National Footwear Leather and Textile Health & Safety Working Group
Footwear Industry Joint Consultative Committee (FIJCC)
Each Working Group contains at least one Director from the BFA Non-Executive Board of Directors. They share information directly with the Executive team to enable them to focus on what matters most to Members in these areas. These Groups also foster the qualities and skills we look for in future BFA Board Members and we welcome new participation.
Request to Join a Group
Our more informal Networking Groups provide opportunities for Members to engage with the BFA and each other through informative and engaging conversation. We also offer WhatsApp Groups focused on retail, manufacturing, small business, brands, sourcing and HR that many of our Members find useful.
Business Leaders - Soles
Manufacturers
Customs & Duty
Independent Retailers
Business Leaders - Uppers
Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI)
Finance Directors
Each Working Group contains at least one Director from the BFA Non-Executive Board of Directors. They share information directly with the Executive team to enable them to focus on what matters most to Members in these areas. These Groups also foster the qualities and skills we look for in future BFA Board Members and we welcome new participation.
