Tillman tipped to take reins at BFC

Jaeger owner Harold Tillman is the front-runner to replace Stuart Rose as chairman of the British Fashion Council, in the same week that the London Fashion Week organiser was awarded a record £4.2 million in funding.

Rose, whose standard three-year tenure as BFC chairman ends after LFW in February, is jointly responsible for picking his replacement along with the BFC management team.

Industry sources told Drapers that Tillman had already been approached about the role, which would see him take the reins of LFW as well as supporting the UK's up-and-coming design talent.

Tillman has experience developing and nurturing emerging designers. He sits on the board of the Fashion Enterprise Forum, which raises cash for young industry entrepreneurs, alongside former Topshop brand director Jane Shepherdson.

He has also pledged £1 million to sponsor 10 MA students each year at the London College of Fashion.

Meanwhile Jaeger London, part of Tillman's Jaeger business, will show at LFW for the first time next season to help boost the chain's design credentials on an international stage.

Tillman will be expected to steer LFW through its next stage of development en route to being self-supporting.

Rose has already helped to restore some of the event's former glory and was instrumental in securing a new £4.2m three-year funding package from the London Development Agency this week. The funding will provide support for emerging designers and will be used to help raise the profile of London Fashion Week.

Of the £4.2m, about £1.2m will go to LFW – double the amount it used to receive from the LDA.

BFC chief executive Hilary Riva said: "This funding will allow the BFC to look more strategically at additional support that designers may require to help them develop their businesses in London."