Rank Group Plc has confirmed the appointment of John H. Ott as the new Chairman of the LSE-listed gambling group, effective 17 November 2025.

Ott, currently Senior Advisory Partner at Bain & Company UK,  will succeed Karen Whitworth, who has served as interim chair since 15 October 2025. Whitworth will return to her roles as Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee.

Changes see Ott replace Alex Thursby, who stepped down as Chair earlier this year, marking the completion of Rank’s planned leadership transition at the board level.

A highly experienced strategist with more than four decades of international business experience, Ott began his career in the US financial services sector before joining McKinsey & Company in 1989.

He later became Group Strategy and M&A Director at Barclays Bank, before joining Bain, where he has spent nearly two decades advising global boards and CEOs.

Commenting on Ott’s appointment, Whitworth said: “During a rigorous and wide-ranging selection process, John emerged as the stand-out candidate to become Rank’s chair. 

“His wealth of experience in highly regulated industries, and his track record advising and working with boards across the globe, will provide the Group with the expertise and leadership it requires as we embark on the next phase of our strategic journey.”

2025 profitability backs 2026 transformation 

Ott’s appointment caps a strong trading year for Rank, which has returned to profitability across all major divisions – Grosvenor Casinos, Mecca Bingo, and Rank Digital – marking a significant turnaround following post-pandemic headwinds.

For the financial year 2024/25, the group’s underlying like-for-like operating profit increased by 38% to £63.7m (FY2023/24: £46.3m), as  Statutory Group operating profits more than doubled to £67m, compared to £29.4m in FY2023/24.

Reflecting its improved performance, the Board has recommended a final dividend of 1.95 pence per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to 2.60 pence per share.

Looking ahead, Rank enters a pivotal 2026, during which it will begin implementing measures from the UK government’s Gambling Review White Paper — including reforms to machine types and estate portfolios across its land-based venues.

Preparing for the upcoming transformation of its casino venues, Rank Group recently upgraded its London flagship property, The Vic on Edgeware Road with a £15m redesign – a project detailed to IGaming Expert.

However, attention remains fixed on the forthcoming Autumn Statement, with operators braced for potential tax rises on gaming machine profits — a move that could reshape the economics of Britain’s high-street gaming estates.