Pubs group Greene King PLC (LON:GNK) has appointed Nick Mackenzie as its new chief executive.
Mackenzie joins from Merlin Entertainments PLC (LON:MERL), where he heads up the Midway Attractions division, which includes the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life aquariums.
READ: Greene King CEO departure can be a “positive catalyst”
The 50-year-old will start his new job on 1 May, the day after long-serving CEO Rooney Anand is due to step down after almost 14 years at the helm.
Although much of his corporate career has been spent with Merlin, Mackenzie has prior experience in the pub industry, having worked at Bass and, more recently, Daniel Thwaites.
“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,” said chairman Philip Yea.
Mackenzie added: “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.”
Greene King shares were up 0.7% to 604p in late-afternoon trading on Tuesday.