n Child, senior independent director of British operators The Rank Group PLC, has resigned from the company's board with immediate effect.

Child was appointed by Rank in January 2012, joining as a chartered accountant, with financial expertise and experience working in multinational businesses across a range of sectors, including casino gambling. He became independent director and chairman of the nominations committee just over a year later. A few months after that he also took on the role of chairman of the audit committee.

Ian Burke, The Rank Group's chairman and chief executive, said: "On behalf of the board of Rank I would like to thank Colin for his commitment and hard work during his time with Rank. The board is extremely sorry to see him go."

Burke is now searching for a successor and expects to make a further announcement once a new senior independent director has been identified.

Emma Rumney