Veteran Australian retail executive Iain Nairn will retire this month after a 46-year career in the industry.

Nairn, currently president and CEO at The Bay in Canada, previously held senior management roles across leading Australian retail brands including Kikki K, David Jones, Country Road Group, Aquila and the Witchery Group.

In 2020, he was named president of the Canadian premium life and style platform, The Bay where he launched Marketplace on TheBay assembling more than 900 seller brands.

On LinkedIn, Nairn described his career as an “incredible ride” adding there are many milestones he is proud of.

“It has been an honour leading The Bay and I am incredibly grateful to the associates that are the engine of The Bay organisation.

“We have achieved some monumental wins together and I know there are many great things yet to come for this retailer.”

Richard Baker, governor and executive chairman of parent company Hudson’s Bay Company, said: “We thank Iain for his tremendous contributions to The Bay as we continue to deliver exciting and relevant experiences for the Canadian customer.”

Sophia Hwang-Judiesch – who was appointed president of Hudson’s Bay store organisation last September – will take over operations for both in-store and digital businesses.