In the UK, the Rank Group has appointed Mark Jones, currently managing director of Mecca Bingo, to the position of managing director for Grosvenor Casinos.

Commenting on the appointment, CEO Henry Birch said: “Over the last five years, Mark has successfully led Mecca Bingo, stabilising our retail business and overseeing the growth of our digital operation, establishing meccabingo.com as a leader in its market.

“In addition to his time at Rank, Mark has a wealth of experience in the leisure industry and I know that he will be able to take Grosvenor Casinos, which is already a strong and well-established business, to the next level.”

Commenting on his new role, Jones said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my five years with Mecca Bingo but I am delighted to have been given the opportunity of taking on the role of managing director of Grosvenor Casinos at what I see as a very exciting time in the evolution of the brand.”

Phil Urban, the current MD of Grosvenor Casinos, is leaving the business to take on a new position with brewer Mitchell and Butlers and will leave Rank at the end of October. Rank is currently undertaking an external search to find a new managing director for Mecca Bingo.