David Leigh-Pemberton is Deputy Director of Policy & Engagement at the British Fashion Council, where he acts as a senior adviser to the CEO and board, leading public affairs, government relations, and international strategy across the UK’s fashion industry. His work sits at the intersection of culture, policy, and global trade—advocating for sectoral competitiveness through initiatives that span tax-free shopping, creative skills, sustainability, and post-Brexit diplomacy.
David plays a central role in shaping the BFC’s policy voice and wider public positioning—from London Fashion Week’s evolution as a platform for responsible innovation, to major national campaigns on export growth, visas, and the creative economy’s role in regeneration. He is also a key contributor to the Institute of Positive Fashion, driving forward evidence-based frameworks on circularity, inclusion, and business resilience.
A member of the UK’s Creative Industries Trade and Investment Board, David regularly engages with ministers, international delegations and cultural institutions to align the UK’s fashion sector with a fast-changing global agenda. With a background that bridges public policy, diplomacy, and the performing arts, he brings a creative and strategic sensibility to the future of industry engagement.