Rank Group chief executive John O’Reilly will retire on 29 January, and chief financial officer Richard Harris will take over as interim CEO from 30 January, the company said. O’Reilly will support Rank until the end of its 2025-26 financial year while it searches for a permanent successor.
Rank’s leadership transition affects oversight of its business while the company selects a permanent CEO.
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Interim Gambling Commission CEO Sarah Gardner said the regulator has proved difficult to leave because it always presents a new challenge. Gardner, who has held most senior roles at the Commission, said she wants to foster a more creative approach to regulation.
Iain Duncan Smith and Dawn Butler wrote to the UKGC questioning Allwyn UK's choice of Phil Walker as interim chief executive. Their concerns relate to his William Hill tenure, which included a £19.2m regulatory settlement and a subsequent personal warning. Allwyn UK told SBC News it had notified the UKGC and DCMS before announcing his appointment.
Reportedly, Allwyn UK has appointed Phil Walker as interim chief executive. Walker previously worked as an executive at William Hill.
Rank Group appointed Jenny Blogg as chief commercial officer, with her role due to begin on 16 March. She will oversee the cross-channel customer experience across Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, join the Executive Committee and report to interim chief executive Richard Harris.
Genting UK and Rank executives warned that uncertainty over Machine Games Duty is holding back investment in UK casinos. Genting UK chief executive Paul Willcock said he might have reached a different conclusion on the £40m Trocadero conversion had he decided today rather than two years ago. Rank chief executive Richard Harris said that without confidence things grind to a halt quickly.