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.

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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.

Celebrating 102nd Edition of the Show.


“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.