Hudson's Bay promotes Donald Watros

Hudson’s Bay Company has promoted current chief operating

officer Donald Watros to president of HBC, a new role with more responsibilities, effective February 1, 2014.

Watros, who joined the Canadian department store group in 2009, will continue to report to CEO Richard Baker, and will continue to run HBC and its businesses through the Office of the Chairman, a management structure Baker created this autumn.

“Don Watros’ role as president is integral to a new, robust leadership structure that will focus on managing and growing HBC along with its strong and expanding portfolio of brands,” said Baker. “Don’s significant retail experience combined with his track record of operational excellence were key in selecting him for this important role and will further our development as a premier North American fashion retailer.”

Watros added: "As a veteran of both HBC and Saks, I will pay particular attention to integrating and delivering on the exciting promise of our merger, while also helping to support all our retail brands and shared services units and to guide the progress of the Company overall."

Hudson’s Bay Company operates 90 Hudson’s Bay department stores in Canada as well was one outlet boutique and an online store, thebay.com. It also controls chain Lord & Taylor, and in November, it acquired US luxury department store chain Saks Inc for 2.9 billion US dollars.