The Rank Group has announced the appointment of former Barclays group strategy and M&A director John H. Ott as chair, following the departure of Alex Thursby in October.

Ott, who moved to the UK from America in 2003, is currently senior advisory partner at Bain and Company, and comes with 40 years of international business consultancy experience.

“During a rigorous and wide-ranging selection process, John emerged as the stand-out candidate to become Rank’s chair,” said interim chair Karen Whitworth.

“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.” 

Whitworth has acted as interim chair since Thursby stepped down at Rank’s 2025 AGM on 15 October, and will now resume her role as both senior independent director and audit chair.