CEO of Merlin, operator of Legoland and Orlando Eye, leaving at end of 2024
Scott O’Neil, CEO of Merlin Entertainments Group, is stepping down at the end of the year, the company confirmed Wednesday.
Merlin, based in England, operates several Central Florida attractions including the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life Aquarium Orlando on International Drive as well as Legoland Florida and Peppa Pig theme parks in Winter Haven.
O’Neil joined Merlin in November 2022, replacing longtime CEO Nick Varney. O’Neil previously was CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which works with NBA and NHL teams.
Multiple news outlets, including the New York Times, report that O’Neil has been in talks to become the CEO of Saudi-financed LIV Golf, a position currently held by Greg Norman.
“It has been an honor to lead Merlin Entertainments as it lays the foundations for its next phase of growth,” O’Neil said in a news release Wednesday.
Upcoming Merlin projects include a Sea Life aquarium attraction in Winter Haven, a Peppa Pig Theme Park near Dallas and Legoland Shanghai, the first Lego-based park in China. The company recently announced an immersive project with the maker of the Minecraft video game.
Fiona Eastwood, Merlin’s chief operating officer, will be interim CEO while the chairman and board select O’Neil’s successor.
“Our business is led by an extraordinarily talented, innovative and inspiring management team, and I look forward to working closely with them to execute our strategy and to continue to deliver exceptional experiences to our guests,” Eastwood said in the release.