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Scott O’Neil takes the reins from Nick Varney at Merlin Entertainment
POSTED 15 Nov 2022 . BY Liz Terry
Scott O'Neil is the new CEO at Merlin Entertainments Credit: Merlin Entertainment
American Scott O'Neil is the new CEO of Merlin Entertainment following the retirement of Nick Varney
Harvard MBA, O'Neil says he will focus on driving the growth of the business
Merlin has 147 attractions in 24 countries and three more theme parks in the pipeline for China
O'Neil was formerly in the sports sector and has relocated to London
Merlin Entertainments, the UK-based global attractions operator which is second only to Disney in size, has chosen its new CEO, following the retirement of founder, Nick Varney.

American Scott O’Neil takes over from Varney today (15 November 2022), being responsible for the global growth of the business, as well as the operation of the company's 147 attractions in 24 countries. He will report to the Merlin board and its investors, Kirkbi, Blackstone and CPPIB.

Varney has spent 23 years growing Merlin from small beginnings as Vardon, to a multi-brand global attractions business with a diversified portfolio, global reach and strong development pipeline, earning the respect of the global attractions industry in the process.

The journey has included several major private equity deals, an expansion deal with Lego and the purchase of Tussauds Group in 2007 from Dubai International Capital. A sweet move given Varney was formerly an employee of Tussauds.

In stepping away from the business, Varney said: “I'm very proud of what we've achieved over the past 23 years. We've built an incredible business with amazing attractions and brilliant people and I have every confidence that Merlin will go from strength to strength under Scott’s leadership.”

O’Neil, a Harvard MBA, comes to Merlin from a career in sport, which has included a stint as CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, a portfolio of sports, entertainment and investment properties, where he oversaw more than $2bn growth, taking the business from US$415m to US$2.5bn in value.

Under O’Neil’s leadership, the company evolved from managing a single basketball team – the Philadelphia 76ers – to become a live sports and entertainment group with a number of professional teams, real estate holdings and operating divisions.

Merlin says O'Neil's expertise lies in "building brands, driving attendances, leveraging data, engaging fans through the guest experience and partnering with major brands to drive growth."

O'Neil said: "Merlin is a business with phenomenal tailwinds, whose purpose is to bring joy and make lasting memories for families and friends around the world.

“Nick has built an incredible business and achieved unprecedented growth in this industry and yet there are still tremendous upside opportunities ahead to continue this momentum.

"We're actively building and searching for new attractions and sites," he said. "We're fortunate that we're not limited to working with a single studio or content pipeline and so we're seeking additional brand partners to redefine our attractions business, as well as looking to aggressively expand offerings and experiences in our current attractions."

Merlin’s attractions include 10 Legoland Resort Theme Parks and hotels, six resort theme parks, including Alton Towers, Heide Park and Gardaland, as well as a portfolio of global brands in city destinations, such as Sea Life aquariums, Madame Tussauds, Peppa Pig World of Play, the London Eye and Sydney Tower Eye. The company also partners with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Hasbro

Merlin also has three more Legoland Resorts under development in China and further openings planned across the US and Asia.

Chair, Roland Hernandez, paid tribute to Varney, saying: "Merlin is one of the best leisure businesses in the world thanks to Nick's leadership, passion and talent and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

“Scott has significant experience in the entertainment industry, a proven track record of delivering business transformation and the vision and ambition to lead Merlin through the next exciting stages of its global development," continued Hernandez. "The Board has every confidence in him, and we look forward to working closely together over the coming years."




Nick Varney is retiring after 23 years at the helm of Merlin Entertainments Credit: Merlin Entertainments
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
Scott O’Neil takes the reins from Nick Varney at Merlin Entertainment
POSTED 15 Nov 2022 . BY Liz Terry
Scott O'Neil is the new CEO at Merlin Entertainments Credit: Merlin Entertainment
American Scott O'Neil is the new CEO of Merlin Entertainment following the retirement of Nick Varney
Harvard MBA, O'Neil says he will focus on driving the growth of the business
Merlin has 147 attractions in 24 countries and three more theme parks in the pipeline for China
O'Neil was formerly in the sports sector and has relocated to London
Merlin Entertainments, the UK-based global attractions operator which is second only to Disney in size, has chosen its new CEO, following the retirement of founder, Nick Varney.

American Scott O’Neil takes over from Varney today (15 November 2022), being responsible for the global growth of the business, as well as the operation of the company's 147 attractions in 24 countries. He will report to the Merlin board and its investors, Kirkbi, Blackstone and CPPIB.

Varney has spent 23 years growing Merlin from small beginnings as Vardon, to a multi-brand global attractions business with a diversified portfolio, global reach and strong development pipeline, earning the respect of the global attractions industry in the process.

The journey has included several major private equity deals, an expansion deal with Lego and the purchase of Tussauds Group in 2007 from Dubai International Capital. A sweet move given Varney was formerly an employee of Tussauds.

In stepping away from the business, Varney said: “I'm very proud of what we've achieved over the past 23 years. We've built an incredible business with amazing attractions and brilliant people and I have every confidence that Merlin will go from strength to strength under Scott’s leadership.”

O’Neil, a Harvard MBA, comes to Merlin from a career in sport, which has included a stint as CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, a portfolio of sports, entertainment and investment properties, where he oversaw more than $2bn growth, taking the business from US$415m to US$2.5bn in value.

Under O’Neil’s leadership, the company evolved from managing a single basketball team – the Philadelphia 76ers – to become a live sports and entertainment group with a number of professional teams, real estate holdings and operating divisions.

Merlin says O'Neil's expertise lies in "building brands, driving attendances, leveraging data, engaging fans through the guest experience and partnering with major brands to drive growth."

O'Neil said: "Merlin is a business with phenomenal tailwinds, whose purpose is to bring joy and make lasting memories for families and friends around the world.

“Nick has built an incredible business and achieved unprecedented growth in this industry and yet there are still tremendous upside opportunities ahead to continue this momentum.

"We're actively building and searching for new attractions and sites," he said. "We're fortunate that we're not limited to working with a single studio or content pipeline and so we're seeking additional brand partners to redefine our attractions business, as well as looking to aggressively expand offerings and experiences in our current attractions."

Merlin’s attractions include 10 Legoland Resort Theme Parks and hotels, six resort theme parks, including Alton Towers, Heide Park and Gardaland, as well as a portfolio of global brands in city destinations, such as Sea Life aquariums, Madame Tussauds, Peppa Pig World of Play, the London Eye and Sydney Tower Eye. The company also partners with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Hasbro

Merlin also has three more Legoland Resorts under development in China and further openings planned across the US and Asia.

Chair, Roland Hernandez, paid tribute to Varney, saying: "Merlin is one of the best leisure businesses in the world thanks to Nick's leadership, passion and talent and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

“Scott has significant experience in the entertainment industry, a proven track record of delivering business transformation and the vision and ambition to lead Merlin through the next exciting stages of its global development," continued Hernandez. "The Board has every confidence in him, and we look forward to working closely together over the coming years."




Nick Varney is retiring after 23 years at the helm of Merlin Entertainments Credit: Merlin Entertainments
RELATED STORIES
FEATURE: Interview: Nick Varney


With major new openings happening and ambitious growth plans, Merlin Entertainments is thinking big
FEATURE: Aquariums: Into the deep


Merlin and the Sea Life Trust share the highs and lows of the epic journey to get two whales to their new home in the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland
Lego buys Merlin in a deal valuing it at US$7.49bn


Global attractions giant, Merlin Entertainments, has been sold to the family behind toy firm Lego in partnership with two other investors.
MORE NEWS
Number of visits to UK attractions are bouncing back says ALVA
Visitor numbers at the UK’s leading attractions have bounced strongly, getting to 78 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers.
World's first Play-Doh attractions to be built in Saudi Arabia by Thinkwell and Seven
Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven) has revealed plans to develop and operate the world’s first Play-Doh attractions in Saudi Arabia.
Elev8Fun to expand FEC portfolio - will feature Triotech rides
A new family entertainment centre will open in Tampa, Florida, US, this month (March 2023).
Opening date of US$1bn George Lucas museum set for 2025
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COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
+ More profiles  
VIDEO GALLERY

Proslide Tech Inc - ProSlide's all-in-one waterplay entertainment center
RideHOUSE is an iconic waterplay complex purposefully designed for young kids and families to enjoy. Find out more...
More videos:
Testimonial Richard Needham - SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment – Red Raion
Keynote | Moby Dick - Friends to the rescue! – Red Raion
+ More videos  

CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

10-12 May 2023

Asia Pool & Spa Expo

China Import & Export Fair Complex, China
24-27 Oct 2023

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Palmaïa, The House of Aia, Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

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