She brought this $2 billion business to Australia - and this week, she bids farewell to pursue new experiences.
Wacoal Europe CEO Tracy Lewis has announced that she is to leave the global branded lingerie business thirteen years after joining, eleven of which she has spent heading up the business.
This included overseeing the sale of the previously named, Eveden Group, to the Japanese owned Wacoal Group in 2012.
During her time with the business, Wacoal Europe successfully expanded from being a UK-centric to an export-led supplier, opening offices in the US, Australia and across Europe, trebling turnover as a result.
For these achievements Lewis received numerous plaudits, including the EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Private Equity Backed Businesses in 2012.
The sale to Wacoal Group was quickly followed by the successful integration of Wacoal Group’s existing European subsidiaries into Wacoal Europe and the commencement of the design of Wacoal branded product, in addition to Wacoal Europe’s market leading portfolio of lingerie and swim brands such as Fantasie, Freya, Elomi, Goddess and Huit, all under Lewis’s direction.
Lewis is intending to step down from the end of March, handing over to current finance director, Geoff Embley, who has been with the business since 2006.
Lewis will support the transition for a short period following handover, in an advisory capacity.
"The last thirteen years have been an incredible journey, of which I am proud to have been part," she said.
"The wonderful team at Wacoal Europe have all contributed to the growth of our brands globally and I have enjoyed every one of our many achievements together.
"I leave the business in great shape for Geoff and the team to build an even more exciting future.
"My passion for product, retail and my entrepreneurial spirit is as strong as ever and I look forward to new experiences and opportunities.
"I thank all of our wonderful retailers and suppliers for supporting the business in achieving such success and our passionate consumers around the world for loving and living in our fabulous brands."
The Wacoal Group was founded in Kyoto in 1949 and is now a $2 billion global business.
It offers a whole family of brands which include Wacoal, Fantasie, Freya, Elomi, b.tempt’d, Goddess and Huit.
The brands are stocked in over 5000 retailers and more than 30 countries.