Rank Group Plc has confirmed the inbound appointment of Richard Harris as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and a board director of the LSE-listed gambling group.

The executive appointment will take effect from 1 May 2022, with Harris set to replace incumbent Bill Floydd who resigned this summer, choosing to join luxury retailer Watches of Switzerland.

Harris is the current CFO of FTSE estate agency Foxtons Group Plc (2019-to-2022). During his tenure as CFO of Foxtons, Harris helped the business mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 pandemic by delivering significant cost improvements across operating units.

Rank governance underlined Harris proven track record and experience as a financial controller of publicly listed companies including leading IT engineering group Laird Plc and heritage UK highstreet retailer Marks and Spencer.

Harris will join Rank’s executive team, as leadership implements its post-pandemic transformation strategy to ensure that Mecca and Grosvenor retail units recover and outperform their 2019 comparatives following consecutive years of business interruption.

“I am delighted to announce Richard’s appointment as our incoming Group CFO,” said Rank CEO John O’Reilly.

“His extensive experience across a number of senior financial and operational roles will be invaluable as we continue to deliver the next phase of Rank’s transformation plan. I look forward to welcoming Richard into the group in 2022.”

Simon Hay, Rank’s current Director of Group Finance, will serve as interim CFO from 1 January 2022 until Harris assumes the role in May.

“I am delighted to be joining Rank at this exciting time in the group’s journey,” remarked Harris. “I have enjoyed meeting various members of the team and look forward to working closely with them, John and the Board to deliver the group’s strategy.”