Rank Group Names CFO Richard Harris as Interim Chief as CEO O'Reilly Steps Down on January 29

Rank Group Plc, the London-headquartered gaming service provider, has confirmed that Chief Executive Officer John O’Reilly will step down from his role effective January 29. In response to this transition, the Board has appointed Richard Harris, who currently serves as Chief Financial Officer, to assume the interim CEO position starting January 30.

Harris brings considerable financial leadership experience to the chief executive role. He joined Rank’s Board in May 2022 as Chief Financial Officer, maintaining his position as an Executive Director throughout his tenure. Prior to his appointment at Rank, Harris held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Foxtons Group Plc. His career also encompasses senior finance roles at both Laird Plc and Marks and Spencer Plc, establishing a track record of financial stewardship across diverse business sectors.

O’Reilly, who assumed the CEO role in April 2018, will remain engaged with the company during the transition period, extending his involvement through the end of the 2025/26 financial year. According to John Ott, Chair of Rank Group plc, O’Reilly’s leadership has been instrumental in positioning the company for continued growth. “His deep expertise in the gaming industry and strong operational acumen have established Rank on a solid trajectory,” Ott noted, adding that O’Reilly’s contributions to the betting and gaming sector extend over several decades.

The company has initiated a formal recruitment process to identify a permanent successor for the Chief Executive Officer position, signaling the board’s commitment to a structured leadership transition during this period of organizational change.