Greene King appoints Madame Tussauds veteran as new CEO

Pub and brewing company Greene King has named Madame Tussauds executive Nick Mackenzie as its new chief executive as Rooney Anand prepares to step down later this year.

Nick Mackenzie will take the helm at Greene King in May 2019 (Photo: Greene King)

Mackenzie, who is currently an executive at Merlin Entertainments which owns attractions like Alton Towers and Madame Tussauds, will join the British pub giant on 1 May.

The tourism exec joined The Tussauds Group in 2002, which was subsequently acquired by Merlin in 2007. Mackenzie stayed on at the business to head up its property and development arm. He is also currently an independent non-executive director of Daniel Thwaites PLC, but will leave this role when he joins the pub company.

Anand announced his intention to leave his role at Greene King in November last year after leading the Suffolk-based brewery for nearly 15 years.

The CEO was appointed chairman of the Casual Dining Group last month.

“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 the brewery’s chairman Phillip Yea.

Despite posting record sales over Christmas, the group is planning to axe between 100 and 110 pubs in a bid to cut costs in its nearly 3,000 site estate.

“Greene King is a very strong business with a great portfolio of pubs and beer brands and a real commitment to its customers, staff and shareholders,” Mackenzie said.

“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.”