Rank Regulatory News (RNK)

22 August 2019

The Rank Group PlcLEI: 213800TXKD6XZWOFTE12

Directorate change

The Rank Group Plc ('Rank' or 'the Company') is pleased to announce that Alex Thursby, a non-executive director of the Company, will be appointed as chair of the Company, with effect from the conclusion of Rank's upcoming annual general meeting on 17 October 2019 ('2019 AGM').

Alex will succeed Ian Burke who, as previously announced on 1 May 2019, had notified the Company of his intention not to seek re-election at the 2019 AGM.

Alex joined the Rank board in August 2017 and has chaired the audit committee since October 2017. Upon his appointment Alex will step down as chair of Rank's audit committee. The search for a new audit committee chair has commenced.

Commenting on Alex's appointment, Chris Bell, senior independent director, said: "We carried out a formal and rigorous appointment process and it was clear that Alex was the best candidate to become Rank's chair. Alex has a wealth of experience in compliance and risk governance in regulated sectors and, having been on the board since August 2017, has a solid understanding of Rank."

Biography of Alex Thursby

Alex has over 30 years of experience within the banking sector where he has led several transformation programmes and business integrations. He was chief executive officer of National Bank of Abu Dhabi from 2013 to 2016 and he held senior roles at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group from 2007 to 2013 and at Standard Chartered Bank from 1987 to 2007. From 2008 to 2013 he was a non-executive director of the Bursa Malaysia listed AMMB Holdings Berhad, part of the AmBank Group, one of the largest banking groups in Malaysia.

Other rolesAlex is non-executive director of Barclays Bank Plc, trustee and head of the finance/treasury committee at Eden Rivers Trust, and governor and chair of the board of governors at Giggleswick School.