Rank Group chairman Alex Thursby is due to leave the role at the company's annual general meeting on 15 October, reportedly after almost six years in the position. Rank said Karen Whitworth will serve as interim chair while it expects to appoint a permanent successor within the next few months.
The transition sets interim leadership arrangements while Rank searches for a permanent chair.
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UK Tote Group said John O’Reilly will join its board as a non-executive director from 1 May. O’Reilly previously led Rank Group for seven and a half years and brings more than 30 years of senior industry experience, according to the report.
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.
Live casino supplier Eeze has named former chief operating officer Lai Fatt Chiang as its new chief executive, reportedly. Jonathan Pettemerides, a former Rank Group director, has joined Eeze’s board as a non-executive director.
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.
Nick Rust will step down as chair of the UK Gambling Commission’s Industry Forum when his two-year term ends in November. The Commission said it would appoint a successor in due course; Rust took the role in November 2023. The Forum brings industry representatives together to provide the regulator with perspectives on policy and operational performance.