Rank Group Chair Alex Thursby to Step Down in October

The Rank Group, a leading international gaming, leisure, and entertainment group, announced a new directorate change, confirming that its chairman, Alex Thursby, will step down from the board. The company is currently on the lookout for a suitable replacement.

Thursby to Exit Following the AGM

On September 18, Rank Group unveiled a change in leadership, announcing that Thursby will be stepping down from the board after 6 years as chair of the group. The outgoing chair joined the company as a non-executive director in August 2017 and was appointed as chair two years later.

Thursby’s departure comes shortly after the publication of Rank Group’s full year results. The announcement added that the chair has “successfully completed his tenure of office” and leaves Rank Group on an “excellent trajectory to deliver further and sustainable long-term growth.”

Rank Group clarified that the chair will exit the company on October 15, at the conclusion of the company’s next AGM. The group added that it is currently on the lookout for Thursby’s successor and that the search has been progressing well. In the meantime, senior independent director Karen Whitworth will step in as interim chair.

Rank Group added that Lucinda Charles-Jones will serve as interim senior independent director, while Keith Laslop will become the interim audit committee chair.

CEO O’Reilly Thanked Thursby for His Contributions

Rank Group’s chief executive officer, John O’Reilly, thanked Thursby for his incredible contributions and commitment to the company, saying that he was a very talented chair who combined wise counsel, considerable experience and thoughtful leadership.

I would like to thank him personally for his unwavering support and for his dedication to the Rank Group and to its stakeholders. Our recent successes and outlook are due in no small part to his sure-footed guidance and invaluable leadership.

John O’Reilly, CEO, Rank Group

Thursby commented on his departure, saying that he feels that now is the right time to step down.

I do so with a combination of pride in the progress we have made, including in terms of governance processes and procedures, and also with confidence that Rank is in excellent shape to write the next exciting chapter of its rich history.

Alex Thursby, outgoing chair, Rank Group

He said that it has been a privilege to serve as the company’s chair for almost six years and help the company navigate the ongoing casino reforms in the United Kingdom.

Karen Whitworth also commented on the changes, lauding Thursby’s contributions and wishing him the best for the future. Whitworth added: “I will be pleased to serve as the Interim Chair, following next month’s AGM, and look forward to announcing a permanent successor to Alex very soon thereafter.”