Rank freshens-up top team as Pugh takes Grosvenor post

Rank Group has appointed two new managing directors with Mecca MD Martin Pugh moving across to oversee the Grosvenor Casinos business and former Spirit Pub Company COO Alan Morgan hired to take on the Mecca role.

In a note to staff, seen by EGR, Rank chief executive Henry Birch said Pugh, who assumes the role vacated by Mark Jones in May, had been tasked to improve Grosvenor’s retail performance while simultaneously building upon its recent digital growth.

“Following the successful turnaround of the Mecca retail business Martin will now spearhead a drive within Grosvenor to grow the retail performance and to continue the exceptional growth in the digital channel,” Birch said.

“Martin leaves behind a great legacy in Mecca and I am confident that the team will continue to deliver their ambitious plans for the business in the future,” he added.

Leisure industry expert Morgan has been hired to fill Pugh’s shoes at Mecca. Morgan was previously COO at Spirit Pub, which in May was sold to Greene King, while he has also held senior positions at Whitbread and David Lloyd Leisure.

Morgan will begin his role on 12 September.

Today’s appointments follow last week’s news that Mecca digital chief Claire Osborne had left the firm following 11 years at the firm. It is understood her responsibilities have been distributed among other members of the team.

Rank recently failed in its attempt to pull off a three-way merger with 888 Holdings and William Hill, with the latter unwilling to discuss the combination.

However, Rank’s digital business continues to grow strongly and last week reported an 11% rise in full-year revenues and said it planned to launch a new multi-channel brand in 2017.