Merlin chief to vanish after two years in job

The chief executive of Merlin Entertainments is to step down after just two years at the world’s second biggest attractions group.
Scott O’Neil, who replaced Nick Varney as the boss of the Legoland and Madame Tussauds operator in November 2022, is to stand down from his role at the end of the year after telling the board that he has “accepted another opportunity”.
Varney, who retired two years ago, had run the group since 1999 when he led the management buyout of Vardon Attractions, transforming the business into what is now the global No 2 attractions group behind Disney, operating over 140 attractions in more than 20 countries under such brands as Sea Life and Dungeon. Its theme parks include Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures.
Following O’Neil’s departure, which was first revealed by Sky News, Fiona Eastwood, who has been with the business for almost a decade and is now Merlin’s chief operating officer, will assume the role on an interim basis as the board hunt for a permanent successor for O’Neil.
Roland Hernandez, the company’s chairman, said: “Scott has led Merlin Entertainments with passion and dedication and I would like to thank him for his service to this company”.
He said the appointment of Eastwood “reflects the strength of leadership talent that we have built at Merlin”, adding that her present role “puts her in an ideal position to lead this transition and build upon Merlin’s mission to be the greatest place to work and play”.
News of the departure came a week after Merlin announced that it had struck a deal with Minecraft to invest more than $85 million in two attractions that will bring the gaming phenomenon to life in the UK and US.
Merlin was listed in 2013 but taken private again in 2019 in a £6 billion deal by a consortium of the billionaire Danish Kristiansen family that founded Lego, Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Merlin reported record revenues of £2.1 billion last year but swung into a pre-tax loss of £214 million from a £106 million profit.