UK: Merlin Entertainments CEO Nick Varney to Retire in 2023

UK-based attractions operator Merlin Entertainments today announced that Nick Varney (photo), Chief Executive Officer, has informed the board that he intends to retire in early 2023. Mark Fisher, who currently holds the position as Chief Development Officer at Merlin, will also retire in the same time period.

In 1999, Merlin Entertainments was formed through a management buy-out from the former Vardon Entertainments company. Previously Managing Director of Vardon, Nick Varney took over as CEO of the newly formed Merlin Group, whose portfolio at the time comprised 19 theme parks. Under his leadership, Merlin developed into a global player in the industry – today, the operating group’s portfolio includes 140 attractions, 23 hotels and six holiday villages in 24 countries across four continents. Merlin’s EBITDA grew from seven million pounds in the late 1990s to 569 million pounds before the global pandemic began in 2020.

“Merlin has been my life for most of my career. I love the people, the attractions, the visitors and the industry and I am proud to have played my part as we built Merlin into an incredible business. I know that with our amazing attractions, as well as our committed and capable people, Merlin will go from strength to strength over the coming years,” says Nick Varney on his announcement.

Roland Hernandez, Chair of Merlin Entertainments, comments, “I would like to thank Nick for his outstanding leadership of Merlin Entertainments over the last 23 years. He has created one of the best leisure businesses in the world through his passion, dedication, and talent. The growth has been incredible, particularly through a period of such macro change. He will leave Merlin in strong shape to continue creating and delivering memorable experiences to our millions of guests around the world. Nick and Mark will be in place and wholly focused for some time, and we are fortunate to have an exceptional team in place. On behalf of the Board and shareholders, we are extremely grateful to Nick and Mark for their remarkable service to the company and wish them all the best.”

During the next twelve months the Merlin board will identify a successor for the position as CEO to ensure an orderly handover. (eap)