Country Road Group chief executive Scott Fyfe is stepping up as the head of David Jones after an eight-month recruitment period.

As of the 26th October Fyfe will replace interim-CEO Ian Moir, who will leave the business once the handover is complete. And, as one recruitment effort ends, another beings, with efforts now underway to find a replacement at Country Road.

“David Jones is one of Australia’s most iconic retail brands and is backed by an exceptionally strong culture of commitment to quality and style,” Fyfe said.

“I look forward to leading the team and working with our many partners as we focus on the changing behaviors of our customers and delivering products and experiences for the future.”

Fyfe said he was extremely proud to have led the Country Road Group for the past four years, during which time the brand has improved its omnichannel capabilities substantially – a focus that Fyfe will bring to David Jones.

David Jones and Country Road parent company Woolworths Holdings’ group CEO Roy Bagattini thanked Moir for his tenure at the business, and said he is looking forward to seeing what Fyfe will bring to the David Jones brand.

“Scott has a proven track record of transformation and strategic delivery, having built a world class team to re-establish Country Road’s iconic brands,” Bagattini said.

“At CRG he has delivered market-leading online growth while optimising and repurposing store footprint. We look forward to Scott’s contribution and the application of his skills and expertise as we accelerate the turnaround of the David Jones business.”

In the interim, Country Road’s managing director Elle Roseby and Witchery and Trenery managing director Simon Schofield will jointly lead the Country Road business until a replacement can be found.

Last month, Bagattini revealed an internal review of the David Jones Food business in order to bring the loss making sector to a break-even position by the 2022 financial year.

“The full economic impact of the pandemic is still unfolding and we expect consumer spending to remain constrained… The group’s intention is to ensure that we not only endure the impacts of the pandemic, but that we can learn from it and emerge both strategically and tactically stronger as a result,” Bagattini said at the time.