The Rank Group has announced that its chief financial officer (CFO), Richard Harris, has been appointed as the company’s new interim CEO.

This follows the announcement that current CEO, John O’Reilly, is to retire with effect from 29 January.

The FTSE 250 listed gambling company confirmed that O’Reilly would continue to support the business until the end of the current 2025/26 financial year. Rank also confirmed that a formal search process to identify a permanent CEO has now begun.

Harris, who will continue in his role as CFO until 30 January, has been an executive director of the board since joining Rank as CFO in May 2022. Prior to Rank, Harris was CFO at Foxtons Group and has previously held positions at Laird and Marks and Spencer.

Chair of Rank Group, John H. Ott, said: “As interim CEO, the board are confident Richard Harris will provide both important continuity and the strategic leadership required to drive the performance of the business and maximise shareholder returns. The board and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him to realise those ambitions.”

He added: “On behalf of the board and everyone at Rank, I would like to express my sincere thanks to John O’Reilly for his leadership of and passion for Rank since his appointment as CEO in April 2018.

“His extensive gambling industry knowledge and experience, as well as deep operational skills have combined to ensure that Rank is well positioned to build on the direction he established. In addition, John has contributed significantly to the betting and gaming industry for decades. We wish him all the very best.”

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