Rank Group appoints Harris to permanent CEO role

• Richard Harris becomes permanent Rank Group CEO with immediate effect, having served as interim chief executive since 30 January.
• The board’s search, run with independent recruiter MWM Consulting, weighed internal and external candidates before confirming Harris.
• Rank’s Q3 trading update showed like-for-like net gaming revenue up 5% to £205.4 million, supporting an upgraded profit outlook.

Rank Group has appointed Richard Harris as permanent chief executive with immediate effect, confirming him in the role after a six-month interim period and a board-led executive search.

Harris, who joined the London-listed operator as chief financial officer in May 2022, takes over full-time leadership as Rank pursues its medium-term target of at least £100 million in operating profit.

Rank Group is one of the UK’s largest listed gambling operators, running 51 Grosvenor casinos and more than 50 Mecca Bingo clubs across Great Britain, alongside the Enracha chain in Spain and a growing portfolio of digital gaming products.

The group has been listed on the London Stock Exchange for decades and has built its recent strategy around digital expansion and land-based transformation.

Search reaches conclusion

Harris assumed the interim CEO role on 30 January 2026, stepping up from CFO after John O’Reilly’s retirement was announced earlier in January, with effect from 29 January. Rank’s board launched a formal search shortly afterwards, working with independent recruiter MWM Consulting to weigh internal and external candidates for the permanent post.

The Nominations Committee ultimately backed Harris, citing his grasp of the business, operational leadership and record of improving performance as decisive factors in the group’s next growth phase.

Finance to leadership

Before joining Rank’s board in May 2022, Harris built his career in finance leadership, serving as chief financial officer at Foxtons Group and holding senior roles at Laird and Marks and Spencer. His four years managing Rank’s finances gave him oversight of the group’s turnaround following the pandemic and its recent digital expansion.

John H. Ott, Chair of Rank Group plc, said:

“I am delighted to confirm Richard’s appointment as CEO of The Rank Group. Following a thorough recruitment process which identified a strong field of candidates, the Board unanimously agreed that Richard was the outstanding choice. I am pleased that he has agreed to lead Rank as it continues to progress the delivery of the medium-term objective of generating at least £100m operating profit and the development of the longer-term strategy.”

Richard Harris, CEO of Rank Group plc, said:

“Rank is an industry-leading business with a strong portfolio of brands which are synonymous with the UK gaming industry. I am proud of what Rank has achieved during my tenure as CFO, and I look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to drive growth and evolve the Group’s strategy. I’d like to thank all my colleagues for their commitment and support over the last 4 years and look forward to an exciting future as CEO of the Rank Group.”

Momentum builds

The leadership confirmation lands alongside continued momentum in Rank’s trading. For the three months to 31 March 2026, like-for-like net gaming revenue rose 5% year-on-year to £205.4 million, with growth recorded across Grosvenor casinos, Mecca Bingo, Enracha and digital operations. Year-to-date group revenue reached £625.2 million, up 6%, even as the UK’s Remote Gaming Duty rose to 40% from 1 April.

Gaming machines were the standout performer within Grosvenor venues, with net gaming revenue up 10% after around 850 additional machines were switched on across the estate. Rank is also rolling out in-person sports betting terminals at 38 of its 50 Grosvenor venues.

The appointment closes a leadership question that opened when Rank confirmed O’Reilly’s retirement in January, and pairs Harris with chair John H. Ott, who took up his own role at the group last November. With the interim tag removed, Harris now carries full accountability for steering Rank through the UK’s higher tax environment and chasing the group’s £100 million profit target.