Former Entain executive Guisard will assume leadership of Aristocrat in April
Aristocrat Leisure chief executive Trevor Croker has announced his intention to step down after 18 years at the company, with former Entain executive Dafne Guisard named CEO-elect.
Croker will step down as CEO and managing director of Aristocrat Leisure in April 2027, having served at the company for 18 years, including the past 10 years as CEO and MD.
Aristocrat chairman Neil Chatfield said: “Trevor’s contribution to the company and its stakeholders has been outstanding, with the company’s market cap growing fourfold to almost $40 billion and an EPSA CAGR of 15% delivered over his tenure as CEO.
“Under Trevor’s leadership, Aristocrat has achieved strong operational performance and profit growth, underpinned by a refreshed strategy and step-change in organisational capability. Trevor has cemented Aristocrat’s product leadership across regulated markets, while growing share in all key markets that Aristocrat operates in and unlocking significant benefits from the company’s increasing scale. Aristocrat is well positioned to build on its established momentum and accelerate progress in the years ahead.”
Croker’s achievements at Aristocrat Leisure were recognised in the Gaming Intelligence Hot 50 of 2024, while his successor Dafne Guisard (pictured) was among the honourees in 2025 for her role as chief operating officer of Entain.
Guisard left Entain in February 2026 to join Aristocrat Leisure as chief commercial officer for EMEA and the Product Madness business.
Her appointment as CEO, which remains subject to regulatory approval, will see her relocate from London to Las Vegas.
“The Board considers Dafne the ideal choice to succeed Trevor. Dafne is an outstanding product and people-focused executive with a strong commitment to customers,” Chatfield added. “She has an exceptional track record of delivering growth and transformation across multiple complex consumer industries, with global experience, and deep product and technology skills.
“The Board has also been impressed with Dafne’s outstanding personal integrity and leadership impact. In addition, the Board has had regard to the benefits of an internal appointment, including performance continuity and scope for a seamless transition. We are delighted to name Dafne Guisard CEO (elect) and look forward to her leadership of Aristocrat’s next phase of growth and success.”
Croker said of his decision: “It has been a privilege to lead Aristocrat through a decade of significant change and opportunity. 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. I am delighted to congratulate Dafne on her appointment as CEO (elect) and look forward to working closely with her over the coming period. Dafne is an outstanding executive who will bring highly relevant and complementary perspectives to the CEO role, along with great energy, passion, commitment and insight.”
CEO-elect Guisard commented: “I am deeply honoured to be chosen to lead this great business as CEO, and am excited at the opportunities ahead. 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.”
Shares in Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. (ASX:ALL) closed 1.32 per cent lower at A$65.02 per share in Sydney Thursday, as the company also announced its financial results for the 2026 financial year.