John O'Reilly
Chair, Weatherbys Ltd
John O'Reilly is the Chair of Weatherbys Ltd, a private banking and wealth management firm rooted in the horseracing and bloodstock sectors. He brings over two decades of leadership experience in the betting and gaming industry to this role, having most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of The Rank Group plc from May 2018 until his retirement in January 2025.
During his tenure at Rank, O'Reilly led the operator of iconic brands Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos through a period of significant transformation, including major investments in venues, digital technology, and safer gambling initiatives. He navigated the company through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and played a key role in industry-wide regulatory reforms, such as the abolition of Bingo Duty and deregulation for casinos.
Prior to joining Rank, O'Reilly spent nearly 20 years at Ladbrokes Coral Group, where he held senior roles including Managing Director. He also served as a non-executive director at William Hill, further cementing his reputation as a respected figure in the gambling sector.
O'Reilly holds a first-class degree from North Staffordshire Polytechnic (1978–1982). His career is marked by a commitment to responsible gambling and the modernization of traditional betting and gaming businesses.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ladbrokes Coral Group | Managing Director | 2000-01-01 – 2018-01-01 |
| The Rank Group | Chief Executive Officer | 2018-01-01 – 2025-01-01 |