One of the most well known individuals from the bingo industry has joined a bar operator, Novus Leisure as the non-executive chairman. John has had a lifelong career in the UK leisure industry, culminating in his founding of the Gala Coral Group through a £280m buy-in of the Gala Bingo business from Bass plc in 1997.

Under his stewardship the Group grew into Europe's largest integrated Gaming and Betting business, valued at over £4.5bn at its peak. During this period he also led four private equity financings and four significant sector acquisitions valued at over £2.5bn.

He is currently chairman of online train ticket retailer Trainline.com and a senior non-executive director of Ladbrokes.

Novus Leisure has 53 bars including the Tiger Tiger brand.

Kelly replaces John Barnes, who has served as a non-executive director for Novus since its formation five years ago. He was appointed chairman in 2008, and since then the group's turnover has risen from £81m to the £136m forecast for this financial year.

Steve Richards, chief executive of Novus, said: "I am delighted to welcome John Kelly to the Board. He joins the business with the support both of our outgoing chairman and the executive team. He is well respected, well connected and as such, eminently qualified to assist us in taking the business to the next of phase of its development."