Knighthood Honours for Former Merlin CEO Sir Nick Varney

(eap) Nick Varney, who headed the British operator group Merlin Entertainments as CEO for 23 years until his retirement last fall, has now been awarded the prestigious peerage of “Sir” in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List for outstanding services to the UK’s visitor economy.

Sir Nick Varney developed Merlin Entertainments into a leading global operator group of leisure attractions, now employing around 30,000 people worldwide. The company states: “Sir Nick played a vital role in building Merlin Entertainments into the incredible global success story it is today. Our family of 30,000 staff around the world feel proud that our founder has been recognized for his amazing achievement – not just for our company, but the wider industry sector, too.”

Sir Nick Varney said: “I’m incredibly humbled and proud to have been awarded this accolade. Having worked in the tourism and leisure industry for over 30 years, I have had the privilege of helping to build Merlin from a small British business to the global company it is today. This enormous honour is shared with all those at Merlin both past and present, who were part of that amazing journey.” He continued: “Following the difficulties the hospitality and tourism industry experienced during the pandemic, this Kinghthood reinforces the importance of our sector to the UK, one which contributes over 130 billion pounds each year to the British economy. I’m humbled to have played my part alongside many others in what is an amazing industry.”

The European leisure industry and the EAP team congratulate Sir Nick Varney on this special recognition. ■