Rank Group said John O’Reilly will retire as chief executive on 29 January 2026 and continue supporting the company through the end of its 2025-26 financial year. CFO Richard Harris will take over as interim CEO on 30 January while the company searches for a permanent successor.
Rank’s interim leadership and successor search matter to stakeholders tracking the company’s executive transition.
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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, James Coxon will become UK Tote Group’s chief executive as Alex Frost steps down. Frost will depart after nearly 10 years at the pool betting operator.
Alex Frost will step down as chief executive of UK Tote Group at the end of 2026, the company said. James Coxon, most recently Vice President International at DraftKings, will become chief executive from the start of 2027.
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.
Rank Group reported like-for-like net gaming revenue of £216.1 million for the first quarter of its 2026/27 financial year, up 5%, and said digital revenue increased 6%. The company said full-year like-for-like operating profit should meet market expectations if the UK tax regime remains unchanged. Chief executive Richard Harris warned a potential Machine Games Duty increase could make venues less viable and lead to closures and job losses.