Harris Leads Rank
Rank Group Appoints Richard Harris Permanent CEO After Successful Interim Period
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Key Points
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Appointment as permanent CEO is effective July 13, 2026, after Harris had served as interim CEO since January 30, 2026.
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Harris previously held senior leadership roles at Marks & Spencer plc, Foxtons plc and Laird plc before joining Rank.
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John Ott, chair of Rank's board, said the board unanimously agreed that Richard was the outstanding choice after a thorough recruitment process.
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Harris assumed the CEO role following the January departure of former chief executive John O'Reilly, continuing in an interim capacity prior to the permanent appointment.
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Market context shown by stock market activity: Rank's shares closed at 94.00 pence per share in London ahead of the announcement.
The Rank Group has named Richard Harris as its permanent chief executive officer, effective July 13, 2026, after six months in the role on an interim basis. SBC News reported the appointment follows an extensive search by the company's Nominations Committee, which considered both internal and external candidates before unanimously backing Harris.
Harris had stepped up as interim CEO on January 30, 2026, after former chief executive John O'Reilly departed. Rank's shares were trading at 94.00 pence in London ahead of the announcement, LSE noted.
Board Calls Harris the 'Outstanding Choice' After Thorough Search
John Ott, chair of Rank's board and head of the Nominations Committee, said the board unanimously agreed that Harris was the clear pick. "Richard was the outstanding choice," Ott said, after a process supported by independent search firm MWM Consulting. iGaming Business reported the search weighed both internal and external options before landing on Harris.
Harris joined Rank's board as chief financial officer in May 2022. The board credited him with strong leadership and a proven track record of driving performance. His move from CFO to permanent CEO marks a clean internal transition for the UK gaming operator.
Harris Eyes £100 Million Profit Target as Top Priority
The board pointed to two clear priorities for Harris. First, hit the company's medium-term goal of generating at least £100 million in operating profit. Second, develop a longer-term strategy for Rank's portfolio of UK gaming brands, which includes Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo.
Harris said he was proud of the progress Rank has made and plans to build on that momentum. "I would like to thank my colleagues for their support during this transition," he said, according to Intergame Online. The company also said it expects a strong finish to its 2025/26 financial year.
A Career Built Across Retail, Property and Tech Before Gaming
Before joining Rank, Harris held senior roles at three well-known UK companies. He worked at Marks & Spencer plc, the high-street retailer. He also served at Foxtons plc, the London estate agent, and Laird plc, a technology firm. NEXT.io noted those roles gave him broad experience across different industries.
That cross-sector background, combined with four years on Rank's own board as CFO, gave the Nominations Committee confidence in his fit for the top job. The permanent appointment ends any uncertainty that built up after O'Reilly's exit in January.
O'Reilly's Departure Left a Gap Harris Moved Quickly to Fill
John O'Reilly left Rank in January 2026 following what LSE described as a disagreement. Harris took over as interim CEO the same day, on January 30. He ran the company for just over five and a half months before the board made his position permanent.
The swift and clean handover means Rank avoided a prolonged leadership void. With a £100 million profit target on the table and a longer-term strategy still to be built, Harris now has a clear mandate — and no more "interim" label in his title.
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