Rank Group plc, the UK leisure and gaming operator renowned for its Mecca bingo halls, has appointed Richard Harris as its permanent chief executive officer. Harris, who has been serving as the interim CEO since January 30, 2026, will take on the role officially effective immediately.
The decision to appoint Harris came after a comprehensive executive search conducted by the company, managed by Rank’s nominations committee under the leadership of chairman John Ott, with support from independent advisers at MWM Consulting. The committee evaluated candidates from both within and outside the organization, ultimately reaching a unanimous agreement to promote Harris.
Joining the Rank Group board in May 2022 as chief financial officer (CFO), Harris brought valuable experience from past senior roles at notable consumer-focused companies such as Marks & Spencer, Foxtons, and Laird. Currently, no plans have been announced for a replacement for the CFO position he previously held.
John H Ott, chairman of The Rank Group, shared his positive sentiments regarding the 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 emphasized the importance of Harris's leadership in executing the medium-term goal of achieving at least £100 million in operating profit and developing a long-term strategy for the company.
The search for a new CEO began in January 2026, after John O’Reilly, who had served as CEO since May 2018, announced his retirement. O’Reilly had previously been a non-executive director at William Hill and managed GVC’s Coral Interactive within the Gala Coral Group. Ott acknowledged O’Reilly’s contributions, highlighting his extensive industry knowledge as a key factor in preparing Rank for its future direction.
Harris commented on his new role: "Rank is an industry-leading business with a strong portfolio of brands synonymous with the UK gaming industry. I am proud of what Rank has achieved during my tenure as CFO and 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 four years and look forward to an exciting future as CEO of the Rank Group."
In terms of financial performance, Rank is set to conclude FY25/26 on a strong note, reporting a rise in like-for-like net gaming revenue to £205.4 million in the first quarter of the year. The company anticipates surpassing the operating profit of £63.7 million it achieved in the previous fiscal year, excluding the effects of club openings, closures, foreign exchange fluctuations, and discontinued operations, by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2026.
