Caroline Rush CBE (née Larner; born July 1971) is a marketing professional who is Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council.Daily Telegraph, Samantha Cameron toasts the cream of British fashion at 10 Downing Street, by Lisa Armstrong, 22 February 2012.British Fashion Council official website, Caroline Rush and Simon Ward, June 2010. Her role is to promote the British fashion industry, particularly through organising London Fashion Week and the British Fashion Awards.
Early life and education Caroline Larner was born in Glasgow, the middle of three daughters, and spent her early childhood in Bishopbriggs. Her father is an accountant and her mother is a teacher. Her father's job took the family to England, first to Derbyshire and then to Chorley, Lancashire.
Career Rush began working in public relations and marketing in about 1992. Her association with the British Fashion Council started in 1998, when she was employed by Annette Worsley-Taylor Associates, who were the creative and marketing consultants for the London Fashion Week. She started Manchester-based PR agency Crush Communications in 2002, and became managing director.entertainthekids.com, Holidays, My Castle or Yours, 2006. The British Fashion Council appointed this company as the press office for all British Fashion Council initiatives, including the London Fashion Week and the British Fashion Awards, with Rush as a public relations strategy adviser to the British Fashion Council.
Rush was appointed British Fashion Council joint chief executive in March 2009.British Fashion Council official website, BFC Restructure Announcement, 12 March 2009.Scottish Fashion Awards , Caroline Rush. As joint Chief Executive, she oversaw the Council’s move into Somerset House in 2009.The Edit , issue 02, Over coffee with British Fashion Council's chief executive, Caroline Rush, 2012.BetterBlazers , How London Fashion Week Became Relevant: Caroline Rush. In a restructuring, Rush became sole chief executive in June 2012. Rush "played a key role in attracting brands such as Burberry and Pringle and British designers such as Antonio Berardi and Jonathan Saunders back to London."Drapers Fashion Awards 2012, Caroline Rush. Hilary Alexander credited Rush with changing London Fashion Week from being a 'poor cousin' compared with Paris, Milan and New York, "and showing that Britain is really where it all begins".Yahoo LifestyleHilary Alexander On Her FROW Style & The Designers Getting Her Heart Racing, 12 September 2012.
Caroline is currently represented by talent & rights management agency Kruger Cowne.
Personal life Rush lives in London. Her ex-husband Matthew is a physical education teacherThe Independent, Winning formula: How can Britain produce Wimbledon champions?, by Liz Lightfoot, 18 June 2009. and former professional footballer for West Ham, Norwich and Oldham. Their daughter Lana competed in junior Wimbledon 2012 and 2013 and is now a marketing executive in fashion.International Tennis Federation website, Lana Rush.
Rush was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the British fashion industry.2015 New Year Honours List
References
External links WWD breaks news that Caroline Rush will step down in 2025