John Saunders joined the BFA in April 2013 as Sales and Marketing Director and has an broad background in the footwear sector with experience of managing international businesses. The BFA announced that as CEO, Saunders will maintain the responsibility for Sales and Marketing with the supported in this role by the recent appointment of Jenna Aarons in the new position of Events Manager. Changes will be effective from the 1st of November onwards.

From the same date, Kevin Traynor is appointed Finance Director as well as continuing as General Manager of the BFA. He has many years’ experience of running finance and operational functions in previous companies.

Michael Kelly, Chairman of the BFA, commented:  “We are delighted that John has accepted the challenge of taking the BFA forward.  He has proven skills and strengths that we have seen in action during his time with the organisation, and indeed has become very well known and appreciated by the members during his time with the BFA. The Board of the BFA wish Richard Kottler a happy retirement and thank him for the valuable work he has done on behalf of the organisation during the past six and half years, which I know is echoed by the BFA members and all of those he has come into contact with while representing us.”

Richard Kottler, the retiring Chief Executive also commented: “It has been a privilege to lead the BFA over the past six years and I am proud of what we have achieved during that time, despite the toughest of economic climates. The BFA team has tripled membership, vastly extended support for exporting members (some 70% of the total) and introduced a number of powerful training and mentoring programmes to raise skill levels in the industry. The BFA is in the safe leadership of John Saunders, and the brilliant team now in place will continue with the BFA’s commitment to serve the UK footwear industry and to step up service levels even more.”