Winter Haven, Florida, United States
Extensive commercial / real estate / financial management experience; of over twenty years; including the eleven years with Merlin Entertainment Group, as Global Site Search Director and opening LEGOLAND Florida as Finance Director. I run my own consultation company, specializing in the Theme Park, Hotels and hospitality and Locally Based Entertainment sector which I am so passionate about.
Consultancy projects for the leisure / retail industry in all matters of finance, real estate, deal making, brand positioning and long term strategy.
Layered Reality experiences combined immersive theatre, digital technology, and sensory experiences at award-winning locations - Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds, The Gunpowder Plot (located at the historic Tower of London), Jet Pack Odyssey and a groundbreaking collaboration with the the IP holders to tell the story of the legend Elvis Presley, Elvis Evolution. The role included responsibility for the operations of all attractions, accountable for Health and Safety, Profit and Loss, Human Relations, 3rd Party Supplier Relations, Real Estate and Compliance as well as Brand Development of new shows and Strategic Pipeline for a Global Roll Out, including own and operated venues, aswell as licensing / franchising.
Artechouse is a cutting-edge digital art experience including , immersive cinematic projections, and interactive light installations. In this role I managed the real-estate strategy pipeline for growth, investor relations for Series A, and financial controls. I conducted strategic market feasibility and led project/partner onboarding.
Alan Entertainment Holdings, operated world class immersive Titanic Museums in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, taking guest back to the 1920's with the fatal maiden voyage of the infamous passenger liner. In this role I Led location expansion and community engagement for Titanic Museum exhibits and created a future pipeline for locations in the United States. This included managing external funding, site feasibility, brand development, construction oversight and financial governance.
Merlin Entertainments were in the process of continued expansion of its major brands in the USA, notably LEGOLAND (Parks and Discovery Centres), SEALIFE, Madame Tussauds, Dungeons, Peppa Pig, Shrek Adventures, Bear Grylls and Eye Observation. In this role I was responsible for locating, negotiating and delivery of the North American Midway Pipeline of attractions in accordance with the group five year strategic plan. In addition the management of a global team to secure a worldwide pipeline for the business. Responsible for creating and driving the Global roll out strategy, initial market identification, establishing and maintaining a network of local agents, community relations, site identification, financial, market and legal analysis. This resulted in the portfolio doubling in 5 years, to #60 locations.