Today the Parques Reunidos Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, unanimously decided to accept the resignation of Peter Long and to appoint Richard Golding (pictured above) as the new non-executive Chairman of the Board, effective immediately.
The appointment was made by the co-option procedure and must be ratified by the shareholders at the next General Shareholders’ Meeting.
The Board would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Peter Long for his valuable and diligent contribution to the Board, successfully supporting the management team in the development of the Company after its IPO and helping to set the pillars for a new phase of growth for Parques Reunidos.
Richard Golding served as CEO of Parques from 2003 through February 2014. He was instrumental to the historical growth and development of Parques, organically through the improvement of park operations, and through acquisitions. The Board believes that Richard Golding’s extensive experience in the leisure park industry and his strong track record as former CEO of Parques make him the ideal Chairman for Parques. Richard Golding is also currently Vice Chairman of DIA, an Ibex 35 company, as well as acting as an advisor at Advent International.
Peter Long stated: “I have very much enjoyed chairing Parques since its IPO in early 2016 and would like to thank the management team and my fellow Board members for the valuable interaction and important work we have accomplished over this period. After careful consideration of where Parques is in its development and discussions with the Board, I have concluded that it now requires a Chairman who is able to give considerably more time to the business than had originally been envisaged and that I am unable to fill given my overall business commitments. In appointing Richard Golding the Board has chosen someone with strong knowledge of the sector and the company and I wish him all the best.”
Richard Golding added: “I would like to thank the Board for the trust they are demonstrating. I would also like to pay tribute to Peter Long, for the solid foundations he helped develop. I am happy to rejoin the company as non-executive Chairman of the Board and I look forward to working with the other Board members and the management team to achieve significant value creation over the long term.”