Aristocrat Names Dafne Guisard as CEO-Elect for 2027

Aristocrat Leisure has named Dafne Guisard as CEO-elect, with long-time chief executive Trevor Croker set to retire in April 2027.

Guisard joined Aristocrat’s executive team in early 2026 as Chief Commercial Officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and later took responsibility for Product Madness. Her appointment remains subject to any required regulatory pre-approvals.

The board said it considered internal and external candidates before selecting Guisard. She will relocate from London to Las Vegas when she takes over, while Croker will remain with the company for 12 months from the announcement to support the transition.

Guisard Brings Broad Executive Experience

Before joining Aristocrat, Guisard served as Chief Operating Officer at Entain. She previously held senior roles at Kraft Heinz and spent nine years in commercial and finance positions at Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Her background also includes investment banking and consulting. She holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management, a Master of Science from MIT and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.

Aristocrat Chairman 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.”

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.”

Croker to Step Down After More Than a Decade as CEO

Croker joined Aristocrat in 2009 as Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand and became CEO in 2017.

By the time he retires, he will have spent more than a decade as chief executive and 18 years in senior leadership at the company.

Chatfield said Aristocrat’s market capitalization increased fourfold during Croker’s tenure, reaching almost $40 billion. The company also delivered an EPSA compound annual growth rate of 15%.

Croker said in the company’s press release reported via PR Newswire:

“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.”

Transition Coincides With FY26 Results

Aristocrat announced the leadership change on the same day it reported results for the year ended September 30.

Revenue rose 3.8% in constant currency, while adjusted net profit after tax increased 9.7%.

Guisard’s existing responsibilities across EMEA and Product Madness give her direct exposure to both the company’s land-based and digital operations before she assumes the top role.

The transition will continue through April 2027, when Croker is expected to step down and Guisard formally takes over as chief executive.