Central London | November 26, 2025
The British Footwear Association (BFA) hosted the much-anticipated Footwear50 2025 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 and Gardabags, welcomed attendees from across the globe, including special guests Caterina and Eva, who travelled from Italy to join the celebration. Hosted at the historic Arding & Hobbs, the evening reflected the BFA’s commitment to community and the celebration of the industry’s heritage.
BFA CEO Richard Shetliffe set the tone with an inspiring speech:
“The Footwear50, now in its fourth 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 New Balance, Church’s, Push Group, Hotter, Streathers Solicitors, Petaurum HR, SATRA, RIF Group, Chatham, and Eurofins BLC.
Voices from the Industry
The Footwear50 event showcased heartfelt stories and reflections from honourees:
Martin Shobo, Director of Product Management, Birkenstock:
“The engineering of footwear naturally makes me appreciate how much work goes into doing what we do and it really creates a special connection and culture within the industry.”
Connor Tracy, Regeneration (Product & Value Chain), Vivobarefoot:
“Customers deserve footwear made from materials and processes that have minimal impact, and this motivates me to push boundaries. I am energised by value-driven brands aiming to set new sustainability benchmarks in the footwear industry.”
Jase Cooper, CEO & Founder, London Sneaker School:
“Footwear is a powerful vehicle for culture, and today anyone can launch a brand via social media. It’s an exciting time for independent, grassroots footwear creatives — and I’m inspired by the opportunity to help enable that movement. I’m driven by empowering young people to build and profit alongside their culture and communities.”
Eleanor Wardle, Global Marketing Director, FitFlop:
“Footwear is a richly creative, fast-moving industry; it sits at the heart of culture and is constantly reinventing itself. Whilst wearing shoes is a universal human experience, it is also deeply personal and emotionally charged – and I love being part of setting the global agenda for how that shows up in people’s lives.”
Looking Ahead
As the profiles of the Footwear50 2025 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 2025.