Merlin Entertainments chief executive Scott O’Neil is leaving the company at the end of 2024, it has been announced.
The announcement comes two years after O’Neil replaced Nick Varney in November 2022.
Merlin said on Wednesday that the American had “informed the board that he has accepted another opportunity”.
Chief operating officer Fiona Eastwood will serve as interim CEO while an “orderly process” to identify a replacement is undertaken.
O’Neil’s tenure at Merlin has seen a reluctance to new commitments to major capital investments in the United Kingdom.
Recent announcements for a Minecraft-themed area, accommodation, and waterpark at Chessington World of Adventures are the first of such a scale made under O’Neil.
In March this year, Merlin revealed that it had “refined and optimised” capital expenditure following £214 million losses in 2023.
The planned £12.5 million Project Horizon rollercoaster at Alton Towers was understood to have been delayed.
Merlin said that O’Neil had overseen “several milestone achievements for the business”.
Previously he headed NBA teams New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, as well as ice hockey (NHL)’s New York Rangers and Philadelphia Eagles.
O’Neil said: “It has been an honour to lead Merlin Entertainments as it lays the foundations for its next phase of growth.”