Directorate Change

Rank Group PLC 27 January 2006 27 January 2006 The Rank Group Plc Ian Burke to succeed Mike Smith as Chief Executive The Rank Group Plc ('Rank' or 'the Company') announces the appointment of Ian Burke, who will succeed Mike Smith as Chief Executive of Rank with effect from 6th March 2006. Ian Burke will join Rank on 6th March 2006 and Mike Smith will retire from the Company at the end of March 2006. Ian Burke, aged 49, is currently Chief Executive of Holmes Place Health and Fitness Limited ('Holmes Place'). He has extensive experience of the leisure and hospitality industries in the United Kingdom and in mainland Europe. He has also been involved in retail and leisure management in the US. Before joining Holmes Place he was Chief Executive of Thistle Hotels plc. He has also held the position of managing director of Gala Clubs, the bingo operator. Alun Cathcart, Chairman of Rank, said: 'Since Mike joined Rank in 1999 he has brought about a major transformation of the company, creating a focused business that is well positioned to exploit growth opportunities in the gaming and leisure markets. Under his leadership, Rank has generated significant value for its shareholders through a programme of restructuring and development. On behalf of the Board I would like to express our deep appreciation for all Mike's hard work and dedication over the last seven years. 'We started the search for Mike's successor in October last year and we have been fortunate to identify Ian so early in the process. With his track record in leisure and hospitality and his experience of brand development and franchising, he is well-equipped to lead Rank's continued development.' Rank confirms there is no information to be disclosed under the requirements of Listing Rule 9.6.13 in relation to this appointment. - END - Enquiries The Rank Group Plc Dan Waugh, Director of Investor Relations Telephone 020 7535 8031 Press Enquiries Maitland Consultancy Suzanne Bartch Telephone 020 7379 5151 Notes to Editors Biography of Ian Burke Ian Burke joined Holmes Place as Chief Executive in July 2003 from Thistle Hotels Plc, where he was Chief Executive from 1998. Previously he spent eight years with Bass/Intercontinental in a number of roles including Managing Director of Gala Clubs from 1992-1995 and Managing Director of Holiday Inn's Europe, Middle East & Africa businesses from 1995 to 1998. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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