Greene King appoints Merlin exec as new boss

Nick Mackenzie, a member of Merlin Entertainments’ executive committee, has been appointed as the chief executive of pub group Greene King.

Mackenzie will join the board on 1 May 2019, succeeding CEO Rooney Anand who steps down from his role on 30 April after 14 years at the post.

At Merlin Entertainments, Mackenzie is responsible for the Midway portfolio of attractions, which comprises over 100 businesses around the world including Madame Tussauds, the London Eye and SEA LIFE aquariums.

He joined The Tussauds Group in 2002, which was subsequently acquired by Merlin in 2007 at which he remained post-acquisition to head up its property and development group. Mackenzie became managing director of Resort Theme Parks in 2011 before moving across to lead the Midway business in 2015. He is also currently an independent non-executive director of Daniel Thwaites, a role he will be relinquishing before taking up his executive role at Greene King.

Greene King chairman, Philip Yea, said: “After a comprehensive search we feel that Nick’s broad experience and track record at one of the world’s leading leisure businesses as well as his knowledge of the pub business, both early in his career and more recently as a non-executive, make him the best candidate to lead Greene King through its next phase.

“We are looking forward to Nick taking up his role when Rooney steps down at the end of the current financial year.”

Mackenzie added: “Greene King is a very strong business with a great portfolio of pubs and beer brands and a real commitment to its customers, staff and shareholders. I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues to deliver on our vision to be the best pub company and brewer in Britain.”