Rank Group has appointed former Barclays director John Ott as the omnichannel operator’s new chair, effective from 17 November.
Ott will replace Alex Thursby in the role, who stepped down last month after a six-year stint as head of the board.
Since then, senior independent director Karen Whitworth has been serving as interim chair.
Upon Ott’s arrival, Whitworth will resume her role as a senior independent director and chair of the audit committee.
Ott, who also serves as the chair of property investment firm The Hideaways Club, is currently an advisory partner at management consultancy Bain & Company.
The new Rank chair had served as a partner at the consultancy between 2006 and 2020.
Ott also counts a spell as Barclays’ group strategy and M&A director between 2003 and 2006, as well as a lengthy stint with McKinsey & Company, starting in 1989.
The exec also served as Funding Xchange chair between 2018 and 2022.
Whitworth said: “During a rigorous and wide-ranging selection process, John emerged as the standout candidate to become Rank’s chair.
“His wealth of experience in highly regulated industries and advising and working with boards across the globe, will provide the group with the expertise and leadership that it requires as we embark on the next phase of our strategic journey.”
Last month, Rank Group reported a 9% year-on-year jump in net gaming revenue in the operator’s fiscal Q1.
On Rank’s earnings call, CEO John O’Reilly told analysts that the business is already paying its “fair share” in tax, ahead of potential duty hikes in the Autumn Budget on 26 November.
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