Holt Renfrew Appoints Mark Derbyshire as President

TORONTO , Jan. 7 /CNW/ - W. Galen Weston , Chairman, today announced the appointment of Mark Derbyshire as President of Holt, Renfrew & Co., Limited (Holt Renfrew). "Mark has displayed tremendous leadership and business acumen over the six years he has been with our organization. We are confident that he will continue to evolve and grow Holt Renfrew as an international brand and a continued fashion authority in Canada ," said Mr. Weston . Outgoing President and CEO, Caryn Lerner , will continue working with the Company's parent organization, Wittington Fashion Retail Group, as an independent consultant. "Caryn's efforts at Holt Renfrew over the past five years have been greatly appreciated," said Mr. Weston . The changes announced today take effect immediately.

Mark Derbyshire (40) was most recently the Chief Talent Officer, Wittington Fashion Retail Group and Vice President, Wittington Investments, Limited. He has proven to be an authority on driving profitability through people at Selfridges in the United Kingdom , Brown Thomas in Ireland and Holt Renfrew in Canada . "It's not just about employing the best people," he says, "it's about building the best teams that provide our customers with unparalleled service." Prior to this, Derbyshire was Vice President, Human Resources with Holt Renfrew from 2004 to 2007. His career has spanned more than 15 years of industry and consulting experience in tier one organizations in North America and Europe . With a background that includes but is not limited to operational planning, human resource management, marketing and brand building, he has crafted a bespoke approach to results. He holds an MBA in Marketing and Strategic Management, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behaviour. In 2009, Derbyshire was named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40(TM).

About Holt Renfrew

With stores in major centres across Canada , Holt Renfrew delights with beautiful fashion presented in style. For over 170 years, Holt Renfrew has been renowned for offering its customers the highest standard of excellence in customer service, merchandise quality and selection. Holt Renfrew locations across the country include: Toronto , Ottawa , Montreal , Quebec City, Vancouver , Calgary and Edmonton . For additional information, please visit www.holtrenfrew.com.

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