Caroline Rush

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.[4] Her father's job took the family to England, first to Derbyshire and then to Chorley, Lancashire.[5][6]

Rush began working in public relations and marketing in about 1992.[7] 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.[7] She started Manchester-based PR agency Crush Communications in 2002,[7][8] and became managing director.[9] 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.[7]

Rush was appointed British Fashion Council joint chief executive in March 2009.[7][10][11] As joint Chief Executive, she oversaw the Council’s move into Somerset House in 2009.[12][13] In a restructuring, Rush became sole chief executive in June 2012.[2] 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."[10][14] 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".[15]

Caroline is currently represented by talent & rights management agency Kruger Cowne.[16]

Rush lives in Wimbledon.[12] Her husband Matthew is a physical education teacher[11] and former professional footballer for West Ham, Norwich and Oldham.[17] Their daughter Lana competed in junior Wimbledon 2012 and 2013.[18][19]

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.[20][21]