Australian Fashion Council (AFC) CEO David Giles-Kaye has announced that he is stepping down from the role at the end of 2019.
Giles-Kaye has served four years in the position and oversaw the merger of Australia’s two fashion bodies - the Council of Textile and Fashion and the Australian Fashion Chamber - into one organisation.
According to the AFC, since the merger, industry engagement in collaborative, growth-oriented activities has grown significantly and membership numbers are at record highs.
Giles-Kaye said that he is confident the AFC can continue its great work with the team and new, soon-to-be-announced CEO on board.
"It has been a privilege to serve as CEO over this period and to oversee the growth of the AFC and its service of Australia’s broad fashion industry.
"We are currently in an exciting growth period for the industry with a strong focus on design and quality and the engagement with ethical and sustainable practice steering the industry onto the world stage.
"I have the strong belief that an industry grows together, with collaboration the key.
"I have put ‘community’ at the core of all our activities and programs, we learn from each other and all have something meaningful to contribute.
"The AFC is in great hands heading into 2020 with our amazing team and board of directors continuing on, and a new CEO to be announced soon.
"My decision to leave was only possible knowing that there would be such a strong team in place to continue the great work of the organisation and I look forward to remaining a close part of the AFC family into the future," he said.
In Giles-Kaye’s time, the AFC focused its industry support role on the growth of businesses and people in the fashion industry.
Giles-Kaye is yet to announce where he will be heading next.