Friday, March 29, 2024

Blackstone and CVC Capital End Ownership Stake in Merlin Entertainments

ABOVE: Stealth coaster, courtesy Thorpe Park

London, UK (March 4, 2015) — Blackstone and CVC Captial Partners, the two majority shareholders of Merlin Entertainments, owners of LEGOLAND, Madame Tussaud’s, SEA LIFE, Alton Towers, and other attraction brands, have sold their remaining 156,541,347 shares for £653 million (around $900 million). The companies took Merlin public in November 2013 for £3.4 billion and have been incrementally selling down their shares since.

In addition, the two companies have announced that their non-executive directors, Dr Gerry Murphy and Rob Lucas, will not stand for re-election at Merlin’s Annual General Meeting.

Blackstone remains the largest shareholder of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment since that theme park chain’s IPO two years ago.

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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