Industry veteran Ian Burke is to take over as chief executive of the Rank gaming and leisure group in March when current boss Mike Smith retires.
Burke has extensive experience of the leisure and hospitality industry in the UK and Europe and has been involved in retail and leisure management in the USA.
He is currently chief executive of Holmes Place Health and Fitness, which he joined in 2003 after holding the same role at Thistle Hotels from 1988.
For the preceding eight years, Burke worked for Bass and InterContinental in a variety of roles that included managing director of the Holiday Inn business in Europe, Middle East and Africa and managing director of Gala Clubs.
“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,” said Rank chairman Alun Cathcart.
Rank’s leisure business includes 120 Hard Rock cafés and 13 Hard Rock hotels and casinos in more than 40 countries.
By Angela Frewin
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