Mark Jones has been named managing director for the Rank Group’s Grosvenor Casinos, one of the United Kingdom’s leading brands with 57 locations plus online gambling. Currently managing director at Mecca Bingo, Jones, who joined the Rank Group in 2009, will replace Phil Urban who is leaving at the end of the month. Previously Jones held several positions in the leisure industry, including chief executive at Pizza Hut UK, chief executive officer at Yates Group and executive chairman at Premium Bars and Restaurants.
The Rank Group Chief Executive Officer Henry Birch said, “Over the last five years, Mark has successfully led Mecca Bingo, stabilizing 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.”
Added Jones, “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 percent of the U.K. population has ever visited a casino, so there is a massive opportunity to showcase what we have to offer to a much wider audience.”
