SYDNEY – November 12, 2026 -- Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) has named Dafne Guisard CEO (elect) to succeed Trevor Croker in April 2027, ending a CEO tenure of more than a decade in which the company's market capitalisation grew fourfold to almost $40 billion.
Board picks internal candidate after external search
The Board sought external advice and considered both internal and external candidates before choosing Guisard. Her appointment is subject to receipt of any necessary regulatory pre-approvals. Chairman Neil Chatfield cited the benefits of an internal appointment, including performance continuity and scope for a seamless transition.
Guisard joined Aristocrat's executive team in early 2026 as Chief Commercial Officer for EMEA and has since also taken responsibility for the Product Madness operating business. She will relocate from Aristocrat's London office to Las Vegas to take up the role.
Guisard brings experience from Entain, Kraft Heinz and AB InBev
Before Aristocrat, Guisard was Chief Operating Officer of global gaming company Entain and Chief Strategy, Digital and Transformation Officer at Kraft Heinz. She spent nine years in executive commercial and finance roles at Anheuser-Busch InBev, alongside earlier positions in investment banking and consulting. She holds an MBA and a Master of Science from MIT, plus a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.
Chatfield described her as a product- and people-focused executive with a track record of delivering growth and transformation across complex consumer industries.
Croker leaves after 18 years in senior leadership
Croker will have served more than a decade as CEO and 18 years in senior leadership at Aristocrat. The Board credits him with an EPSA compound annual growth rate of 15% over his CEO tenure, alongside product leadership in regulated markets and share gains in all key markets.
The Board also pointed to Croker's election as Chair of the American Gaming Association during his tenure. He will stay with the company and support Guisard for twelve months from the announcement.
Croker said the combination of strong organic investment and disciplined M&A had extended the company's record of high-quality growth, making now the right time to begin the transition.
Transition covers three reporting segments and about 7,000 staff
Guisard will take charge of a group with three reporting segments: regulated land-based gaming (Aristocrat Gaming), Social Casino (Product Madness) and regulated online real money gaming (Aristocrat Interactive). The company employs about 7,000 people worldwide. Guisard said she would work with Croker, the Board and the executive team to keep the transition smooth and accelerate momentum.
Key contract terms for Guisard were lodged with the announcement and apply from her commencement as CEO, expected in April 2027.