Attractions operator Merlin Entertainments has announced several senior promotions, due to take effect in the next three months, as part of the restructure of Merlin's Midway Operating Group.

The company will reorganise its Midway Division into four regions; London, Europe, USA West and USA East, to better manage over 40 attractions and prepare for the company's expansion of up to five new sites each year. The Midway Division consists of Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, Dungeons and Legoland Discovery Centres.

Former divisional director of Alton Towers Resort, Russell Barnes, has been made divisional director of Midway Development and will oversee all new brands, openings and emerging markets as the attractions undergo development. Ian Crabbe, from Birmingham Sea Life attraction, will take over Barnes' role at Alton Towers.

Peter Ronchetti, will be relocating to Legoland California to become its general manager, Thorpe Park's divisional director, and will concentrate on the firm's investment plans in the state including a new hotel at Legoland. His predecessor, John Jakobsen, will be moving to Merlin's head office in Poole, UK, to focus on new projects in the Legoland division.

Mike Vallis – former divisional director of Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo – has been moved to Thorpe Park to oversee 2009 investment plans. David Smith, finance director at Alton Towers, will take over from Vallis at Chessington.

Other promotions include Hans Aksel Pedersen, who will move to Germany as general manager of Legoland Deutschland; Colin Thomas, who will become general manager of the new Meadowlands Xanadu in New Jersey, US; and Nikki Ratcliffe who will replace Thomas as general manager of London Dungeon from head of operations at Chessington.