Rank Group Appoints John Ott as New Chairman
The Rank Group has confirmed that John Ott will take over as its new chairman on 17 November 2025. Ott, a seasoned business consultant with more than four decades of experience in financial services and corporate strategy, will replace Alex Thursby, who stepped down earlier this year.
John Ott Takes the Helm at Rank Group
Rank Group announced that John Ott will officially assume the role of chairman on 17 November, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the UK-based gaming and entertainment company.
Ott brings over 40 years of leadership and consulting experience, including senior positions at major financial institutions and global advisory firms. He will succeed Alex Thursby, whose six-year tenure as non-executive chairman concluded at the company’s annual general meeting in October.
Since Thursby’s departure, Karen Whitworth has served as interim chair. When Ott assumes the position, she will return to her roles as senior independent director and audit committee chair.
Background in Strategy and Global Consulting
John Ott currently serves as senior advisory partner at Bain & Company UK, a role he has held since 2006. Over the course of his career, he has advised international corporations on strategic transformation, operations, and M&A initiatives.
Beyond Bain, Ott has co-founded and invested in several private ventures, including Funding Xchange, a financial services platform, and The Hideaways Club, a global fractional ownership business.
His previous corporate experience includes serving as Group Strategy and M&A Director at Barclays Bank, as well as leadership roles at McKinsey & Company and US Bancorp, where he worked as assistant vice president.
“A Stand-Out Candidate” for the Role
In announcing the appointment, interim chair Karen Whitworth emphasized that Ott’s extensive experience in highly regulated sectors made him the ideal choice to guide Rank through its next stage of growth. 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 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.”
Rank Group’s Recent Financial Performance
Ott’s appointment comes at a time of solid growth for Rank Group. The company recently reported a 9% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first quarter of its 2025-26 financial year.
Net gaming revenue rose to £210.2 million ($275.9 million), driven primarily by strong results in the digital segment. Online operations delivered a 13% increase in revenue, including a 31% rise in Grosvenor digital and 9% growth in Mecca online. However, the company’s Spanish operations experienced a 1% decline, attributed to platform capacity issues identified earlier in the year.
Rank’s Strong Tax Contribution in the UK
The Q1 report also included comments from CEO John O’Reilly, who addressed speculation about potential tax reforms in the UK gaming sector. O’Reilly underlined Rank’s contribution to public finances, stating that the company already pays substantial taxes domestically. O’Reilly said:
“Last year the group generated £44.6 million in profit, having paid HMRC and local authorities £188.0 million in taxes. Rank Group, with its strong UK focus, is certainly paying its fair share.”
With Ott stepping into the chairmanship, Rank Group appears poised to strengthen its strategic and operational performance across both retail and digital channels. His expertise in governance, transformation, and regulated markets aligns with Rank’s goal of maintaining sustainable growth while navigating the evolving UK and European gaming landscape.