Merlin Entertainments Group appoints Charles Gurassa as Senior Independent Director 110210
11th February 2010
Merlin Entertainments Group appoints Charles Gurassa as Senior Independent Director
Merlin Entertainments Group, Europe’s No 1 visitor attraction operator, today announces the appointment of Charles Gurassa as Senior Independent Director. The move, coming in the wake of the appointment in December last year of Sir John Sunderland as Non-Executive Chairman, significantly strengthens the Board.
Sir John Sunderland, Non-Executive Chairman of Merlin Entertainments, said:
"I am delighted that we have attracted a Non-Executive Director of Charles’ calibre. He, like me, is excited about being part of the development of Merlin Entertainments. His extensive knowledge of the leisure sector and his experience as a Board member of leading international businesses will be of great benefit to Merlin.
“Merlin is the leader in its markets with strong long-term growth prospects. We continue to consider and debate the options for our future ownership structure. All options, including an IPO, remain under consideration, but we do not expect to reach any conclusion in the near future.”
Enquiries
Merlin Entertainments Group Tel: ++ 4420 8899 6110/ ++ 208 948 4225 / ++ 7774 415372
Sally Ann Wilkinson
Penny Roberts
Tulchan Communications Tel: ++ 44 20 7353 4200
Susanna Voyle
David Allchurch
Notes to Editors
1. SIR JOHN SUNDERLAND
Sir John Sunderland was Chairman of Cadbury Schweppes PLC until July 2008, having worked at Cadbury's in various roles, including that of Chief Executive, since 1968. He is a non-executive director of Barclays Bank plc, a Director of the Financial Reporting Council, an Adviser to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, an Association Member of private healthcare provider Bupa, and a Governor of both Reading and Aston University Councils
2. CHARLES GURASSA
Charles Gurassa is Chairman of Phones 4U, MACH, LOVEFILM, 7DAYS and National Trust Enterprises. His previous experience includes being Non-Executive Chairman of Virgin Mobile; Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive of TUI Group; Group Chief Executive of Thomson Travel Group PLC; a series of roles at British Airways PLC; and a series of roles at Thomas Cook Group. He was until recently a Non-Executive Director of Whitbread Group PLC
3. MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. The world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 59 attractions and six hotels / 2 holiday villages in 13 countries and across 3 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 35 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 13,500 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Zoo, Underwater Adventures, Heide Park and Earth Explorer.
Merlin Entertainments is a privately owned company. Its primary shareholder is the Blackstone Group, which purchased the company in May 2005. Other shareholders are Dubai International Capital LLC (DIC), and KIRKBI A/S
4. MERLIN SHAREHOLDERS
The Blackstone Group is one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, the companies we advise and the broader global economy. We do this through the commitment of our extraordinary people and flexible capital. Our alternative asset management businesses include the management of corporate private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, credit oriented funds, collateralized loan obligation vehicles (CLOs) and closed-end mutual funds. The Blackstone Group also provides various financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com.
KIRKBI A/S is a privately held, family-owned investment and holding company based in Billund, Denmark. Its holdings include a 75% ownership share in the LEGO Group, the remaining 25% being held by a family foundation.
The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children, employing approximately 8,000 people globally. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities. LEGO products can be purchased in more than 130 countries.
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2009 The LEGO Group.
Dubai International Capital LLC is an international investment company established in 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Holding. DIC invests private funds on behalf of Dubai Holding with a mandate to build a portfolio of internationally diversified assets. DIC invests via two core divisions Private Equity and Emerging Markets.
DIC Private Equity invests in high performing mid-cap companies in Europe and North America with a focus on secondary buyouts that include Travelodge, Merlin Entertainments, Doncasters, FastenTech, Mauser, Alliance Medical, and Almatis.
DIC Emerging Markets invests in buyouts, buy-ins, listed equities, single-country funds and sector specific funds with a geographical focus in the Middle East. Notable investments include the UAE-based Rivoli Group and KEF Holdings, Oger Telecom and Indian bank ICICI. Jordan Dubai Capital is a US$300 million fund investing exclusively in Jordan. Sector-specific funds include the US$300 million MENA Infrastructure Fund and Ishraq, a US$150 million vehicle to launch Holiday Inn Express hotels across the Middle East.