Aristocrat Leisure Limited, the leading global entertainment and gaming company, will be transitioning to a new CEO.
On Wednesday, the company said its CEO and Managing Director, Trevor Croker, intends to retire from his role, effective from April 2027.
After seeking external advice and considering external and internal candidates, Aristocrat confirmed the appointment of Dafne Guisard as a successor to the CEO role.
Being named CEO-elect, Guisard’s appointment is subject to receipt of the relevant regulatory pre-approvals. She is expected to succeed Croker upon his retirement in April.
The two executives will collaborate for what is described by Aristocrat as a comprehensive transition.
The company confirmed in a press release that Croker will remain with the company to support the transition to a new CEO for 12 months, starting on November 11, 2026.
As part of the transition process, Guisard will relocate from Aristocrat’s London office to the company’s Las Vegas office.
Speaking about the senior-level transition, Croker explained: "It has been a privilege to lead Aristocrat through a decade of significant change and opportunity."
Moreover, the outgoing CEO and Managing Director said: "By maintaining focus on our competitiveness, with strong organic investment to grow our share with our customers and disciplined M&A to accelerate strategic opportunities and capabilities, we have further extended Aristocrat's track record of high-quality growth and positioned the business with exciting optionality for the future. Now is therefore the ideal time to begin the process of the CEO transition."
Chairman of the Aristocrat Board, Neil Chatfield, added: "The Board deeply appreciates Trevor's service, after what will have been more than a decade as CEO and 18 years in senior leadership at Aristocrat."
Chatfield highlighted Croker’s outstanding contributions to Aristocrat that propelled its expansion.
The upcoming CEO of Aristocrat holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, as well as a Master of Science from MIT and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.
She first joined Aristocrat earlier in 2026 when she was named Chief Commercial Officer for EMEA.
Since her initial appointment, Guisard was also been tasked with overseeing the company’s Product Madness operating business.
"I am deeply honoured to be chosen to lead this great business as CEO, and am excited at the opportunities ahead," she said.
"I look forward to working closely with Trevor, the Board and my executive team colleagues to ensure a smooth transition, and accelerate our momentum over coming years. I am grateful for the confidence of the Board, and the support of Aristocrat's people and customers as I prepare to take on the role in April next year," Guisard explained in conclusion.
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