22 March 2010
Proposed Appointments to the Board
The Rank Group Plc ("Rank" or the "Company") announces its intention to propose Tim Scoble and Mike Smith for election as non-executive directors of Rank's board of directors (the "Board") at its AGM on 22 April 2010. Tim Scoble and Mike Smith would join the Board as nominated shareholder representatives of Guoco Group Limited (the "Guoco Group") which, as Rank's largest shareholder, owns 114,235,699 shares in Rank representing 29.25% of the voting rights.
A notice of the Company's AGM is being posted to shareholders today and is available at www.rank.com.
Other than as set out in this announcement, Rank confirms that there is no further information about Tim Scoble and Mike Smith requiring disclosure under paragraphs 9.6.13 (2) to (6) of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.
Contacts:
The Rank Group
Ian Burke, chief executive 01628 504 250
Financial Dynamics
Ben Foster / Marc Cohen 020 7831 3113
Notes to editors:
Biographical details on proposed non-executive directors
Tim Scoble
Tim Scoble, 53, is currently chief executive officer of GuocoLeisure Limited (a company controlled by Guoco Group Limited) and is also UK chief executive of Guoman Hotels (formerly Thistle Hotels). Tim Scoble is a qualified chartered accountant and was previously the managing director of Moat House Hotels from 2001 to 2003 and the chief executive of Little Chef and a director of Travelodge from 2003 to 2005.
Mike Smith
Mike Smith, 46, is currently chief financial officer of Clermont Leisure (UK) Limited (a company controlled by Guoco Group Limited). Mike Smith is a qualified chartered accountant and has had a long career in finance roles, including 16 years with Whitbread PLC.
About The Rank Group Plc
The Rank Group Plc is a leading European gaming and betting business, based in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange (RNK.L). Its principal activities are the operation of bingo clubs and casinos with complementary interactive gaming and bookmaking services.
Rank's operations comprise:
n Grosvenor Casinos - 35 casinos in Great Britain; two casinos in Belgium
n Mecca Bingo - 103 bingo clubs in Great Britain
n Top Rank Espana - 11 bingo clubs in Spain
n Rank Interactive - online and mobile gaming and betting. Branded websites include bluesq.com, meccabingo.com and gcasino.com.
Rank's businesses serve more than 2.4 million customers a year, receiving in excess of 22 million customer visits and employing more than 8,000 team members. For more information about The Rank Group, visit www.rank.com.