Rank Group plc, a prominent UK leisure and gaming operator known for its Mecca bingo halls, has appointed Richard Harris as its permanent chief executive officer (CEO). This decision was made official on Monday, following Harris's interim leadership which began on January 30, 2026. The appointment came after an executive search led by the company's nominations committee, chaired by John Ott, and supported by external consultants from MWM Consulting, which evaluated candidates both from within and outside the company before reaching a unanimous consensus in favor of Harris.
Richard Harris joined Rank Group's board as chief financial officer (CFO) in May 2022. His previous experience includes senior roles at notable companies such as Marks & Spencer, Foxtons, and Laird. Currently, there is no indication that the company is seeking to fill the CFO position left vacant by Harris.
John H Ott, the chairman of The Rank Group, expressed his support for the new appointment. "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," he stated. Ott also highlighted Harris's role in advancing the company's medium-term goal of achieving at least £100 million in operating profit and in shaping its long-term strategy.
The search for a new CEO began earlier this year when former CEO John O'Reilly announced his retirement. O'Reilly had been with the company since May 2018, transitioning from his role as a non-executive director at William Hill and previously serving as managing director of GVC’s Coral Interactive within the Gala Coral Group. Ott praised O’Reilly's extensive knowledge of the gambling industry, stating it has positioned Rank to continue building on the foundation established during his tenure.
Upon his permanent appointment, Harris remarked, "Rank is an industry-leading business with a strong portfolio of brands that 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."
He extended his gratitude to his colleagues for their support and expressed eagerness for the future as CEO.
Rank Group has also projected a strong conclusion to its FY25/26, with like-for-like net gaming revenue reaching £205.4 million in the first quarter of the year. The company is optimistic about exceeding the operating profit of £63.7 million reported in FY24-25, factoring out the effects of club openings and closures, foreign exchange fluctuations, and discontinued operations, by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2026.
