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Holt Renfrew CEO Exiting

Canadian luxury retailer seeking replacement for Sebastian Picardo

Published

8 months ago

July 1, 2025

VMSD Staff

Holt Renfrew CEO Exiting — A Holt Renfrew Store in downtown Toronto, one of three locales the retailer has in that city. Photo: JHVEPhoto/iStock by Getty Images

A Holt Renfrew Store in downtown Toronto, one of three locales the retailer has in that city. Photo: JHVEPhoto/iStock by Getty Images

The president and CEO of Holt Renfrew (Toronto) is leaving the luxury retailer, effective Sept. 30, report a variety of news sources, including Retail Insider. Sebastian Picardo, who has held those posts since 2020, has decided to relocate to London to explore new professional opportunities.

The company has launched a search for his replacement.

“Picardo’s departure marks the end of a pivotal five-year tenure during which he led Canada’s leading luxury department store chain through an era of intense transformation,” the Canadian online source reported. Prior to joining Holt Renfrew, he worked at retailers Lane Crawford, Burberry, Net-a-Porter and Alexander McQueen, along with professional services firm Deloitte.

In a statement, the company acknowledged Picardo’s contributions in guiding the brand through the Covid and post-Covid era, stating, “His strong leadership and vision played an integral role in guiding Holt Renfrew through a time never seen before in the retail landscape.”

Founded in 1837, Holt Renfrew currently operates six stores across Canada: three in Toronto and one apiece in Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver, B.C. There has been some speculation that the retailer could expand its footprint by taking over locations previously occupied by the now-defunct Hudson’s Bay Co., but no announcements along those lines have materialized.

VMSD Staff

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