Rank plc has advised the UK market that the managing director of its interactive Blue Square operations, Martin Belsham is to leave the group. No reasons were given for Belsham's departure, and there was no indication of his future plans.

Ian Burke, Rank's chief executive, will assume direct operational management of Blue Square, which handles the group's interactive gaming business, while a successor for Belsham is sought

Belsham founded Blue Square in 1999 and was previously an executive with City Index and ICAP. When Rank acquired Blue Square in 2003, Belsham joined the group as md of the company and a board member.

Blue Square handles Rank's interactive gaming business, comprising a sports betting operation and a variety of casino, poker, bingo and games products. Blue Square provides online distribution of Rank's retail gaming businesses through meccabingo.com, grosvenorcasinos.com and grosvenorpoker.com.