Rank Group recruits chief people officer from outside the industry

Rank Group has appointed Hazel Boyle to be its new group chief people officer. Boyle will join the London-listed casino and bingo operator with effect from 12 September 2022. She joins the firm having most recently served as chief people officer at FTSE250 operator Future PLC; Boyle was in the role between November 2021 and April 2022. Before her time at Future, she held a similar position in the EMEA division at the advertising firm Wunderman Thompson, from October 2019 through to joining Future. Boyle has also held senior HR roles at ITV, M&G Prudential, STV Group and ITN. Commenting on the appointment, John O’Reilly, Rank CEO, said: “Hazel brings a wealth of corporate experience to the role, having worked in a series of high profile organisations. “She has extensive knowledge of managing change and transformation across large groups, and I am confident that her skills and expertise will complement the executive team at Rank as we continue our recovery from the pandemic and build on some very strong foundations. I am delighted that Hazel has agreed to join us on our journey.” Boyle added: “Rank is synonymous with leisure and entertainment and the opportunity to join the Group at such a pivotal time in its transformation was compelling. I am joining a highly talented and energised team working across some iconic brands and with ambitious plans for the future. “I am committed to building on much of the great work that has recently been done at Rank and will look forward to supporting John and the executive team as they continue to deliver the Rank strategy.” This hire comes in addition to the recent addition of former William Hill head of people, Heather Kemp to the role of head of HR. Elsewhere, Rank was hit with ASA censures over advertising violations centred around socially inappropriate content revolving around an in-app advert for the mobile casino game Wolf Gold which appeared in May 2022.