Jones moves from bingo to casino at Rank Group

Casino and bingo entertainment provider The Rank Group has appointed Mark Jones to the position of Managing Director for Grosvenor Casinos. Jones, 54, joined The Rank Group Plc in 2009 and is currently Managing Director of Mecca Bingo. Prior to this he has held a number of senior management posts in the leisure industry, including chief executive of Pizza Hut UK (while at Whitbread PLC), chief executive of Yates Group plc and executive chairman of Premium Bars and Restaurants PLC.

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. Less than 10% of the UK population has ever visited a casino, so there is a massive opportunity to showcase what we have to offer to a much wider audience.”

Phil Urban, the current MD of Grosvenor Casinos, is leaving the business to take on a new position with 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.