Trevor Croker to retire as CEO of Aristocrat in April 2027

Dafne Guisard named CEO-elect

Aristocrat Leisure has confirmed that Trevor Croker, CEO & Managing Director of Aristocrat, intends to retire from his role in April 2027. Having sought external advice, and considered both internal and external candidates, the Board of Aristocrat is delighted to announce the appointment of Dafne Guisard as CEO (elect), subject to the receipt of any necessary regulatory pre-approvals. Dafne is expected to succeed Trevor in April, following a comprehensive transition.

Dafne joined Aristocrat’s executive team in early 2026 as Chief Commercial Officer for EMEA, and has since also taken on responsibility for the Product Madness operating business. Prior to joining Aristocrat, Dafne served as Chief Operating Officer of the global gaming company Entain, and was also Chief Strategy, Digital and Transformation Officer at Kraft Heinz. Dafne spent nine years in executive commercial and finance roles at Anheuser-Busch InBev, among other roles in investment banking and consulting. Dafne holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, along with a Master of Science from MIT and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. 

Dafne will relocate to Las Vegas (from Aristocrat’s London office) to take up the CEO role. Trevor will remain with the company and will support Dafne for twelve months from today’s announcement.

Chairman of the Aristocrat Board, Neil Chatfield, said: “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. 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.”

“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. 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.

“Trevor’s unwavering focus on our people, product and customers has also strengthened Aristocrat’s culture. Trevor’s principled leadership is reflected in Aristocrat’s deep commitment to its customers and industry sustainability, as well as the company’s pioneering efforts in empowering safer play. During his tenure, Trevor was elected to serve as Chair of the leading global trade body, the American Gaming Association, among other industry appointments, amplifying the company’s contribution as a global industry leader and underlying the esteem in which Trevor is held by his peers” Mr Chatfield added.  

Aristocrat CEO & Managing Director, Trevor Croker, said: “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.”

Aristocrat CEO (elect), Dafne Guisard, said: “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.”