Jamie Baillie, ex-premier John Hamm's former chief of staff, is set to launch his campaign to lead Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative party, CBC News has learned.

Baillie is expected to announce his plans Monday at the Dartmouth waterfront campus of Nova Scotia Community College, one of Hamm's marquee projects.

Baillie is currently president and CEO of Credit Union Atlantic. He will be the first candidate for the leadership.

Karen Casey has been interim leader since last summer, when Rodney MacDonald stepped down following his party's loss to the NDP in the provincial election. She said in February she won't run.

The Tory leadership convention will be held Oct. 29-30 in Halifax.