David Jones CEO, Iain Nairn, is leaving the department store after only 14 months in the job.

Nairn, who has overseen a significant turnaround in the company’s sales, has resigned for personal reasons, David Jones’ South African owner Woolworths Holdings said in a statement.

He will be replaced by John Dixon, the head of general merchandise at UK retailer Marks & Spencer.

Dixon will take up the role in January 2016, with WHG CEO, Ian Moir, to work with the executive committee until then. Nairn is expected to stay on for three months to work with the business in an advisory capacity.

Commenting on the announcement, Moir said, “Over the past three years Iain has made a significant contribution to our Australian businesses, initially as CEO of Country Road Group and more recently as CEO of David Jones. I would like to extend my warmest thanks to Iain for his leadership during this time, particularly in stewarding David Jones during the last 14 months,” he said.

“John’s appointment reflects our long term strategy to take the David Jones business to the next level. John is a world class retailer who brings with him a powerful combination of international food and fashion expertise supported by large scale retail systems and management experience. We have known John for many years through our close relationship with M&S and know him to be an inspiring and resilient leader who has traded successfully through the most difficult and competitive of conditions in the UK,” said Moir.

Commenting on his appointment, John Dixon said, “I’m very excited to be taking on this role as CEO of David Jones. It’s a substantial business in its own right and lies at the heart of Australian society. It’s a privilege to take on such a role and I am hugely excited by the future possibilities for growth and continuing to be the preeminent department store business. I’m thoroughly looking forward to the challenge and my family and I are looking forward to living in Sydney. It’s a perfect fit for me.”