Central London | November 27, 2024
The British Footwear Association (BFA) hosted the much-anticipated Footwear50 2024 event last night in Central London, bringing together the brightest minds and most innovative leaders in the footwear industry. This year’s Footwear50 list, now live, highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of professionals who continue to shape and redefine the sector.
A Night to Remember
The event, proudly held in partnership with Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags, welcomed attendees from across the globe, including special guests GianPaola and Caterina, who traveled from Italy to join the celebration. Hosted at the certified B Corp venue x+why, the evening reflected the BFA’s commitment to sustainability and community focus.
BFA CEO Richard Shetliffe set the tone with an inspiring speech:
“The Footwear50, now in its third year, has quickly become a cornerstone of the BFA 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.”
Honouring Industry Excellence
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.
As CEO Shetliffe remarked, the event’s success was made possible through the support of the Category Sponsors, including Streathers Solicitors, Buyerdock, ReBound, Goral, Petaurum HR, Covation Bio PDO, RIF Group, and SATRA.
Voices from the Industry
The Footwear50 event showcased heartfelt stories and reflections from honourees:
Charles Clinkard, Group Managing Director, The Clinkard Group:
“I have had an amazing career in the shoe industry, and the commitment and loyalty from my team at Charles Clinkard is what keeps me motivated.”
Dean Girling, Director, Gaziano Girling:
“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.”
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.”
Jodie Soussan, MD of Europe, Allbirds:
“I value the industry’s evolution toward more sustainable practices. Making thoughtful improvements in how we design and produce footwear, allowing us to create products with a reduced environmental impact or investing in circularity initiatives to extend the lives of products.”
Looking Ahead
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 community, reaffirming the BFA’s mission to champion and grow the industry.
To explore this year’s Footwear50 honourees, visit Footwear50 2024.