Deborah Thomas replaced as CEO of Dreamworld parent company
Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure is ending chief executive Deborah Thomas' two-year spell in charge of the theme park operator.
Former Nine Entertainment chief operating officer Simon Kelly will take over from Ms Thomas on July 1, when she will become the company's chief customer officer.
“We are pleased to announce this significant boost to our management team," Ardent Leisure Group Chairman George Venardos said.
"Simon, who will transition to the role over the next few months with the support of Deborah, brings to the Group a wealth of experience in the management of multinational operations, financial control and the entertainment sector."
In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Ardent said Ms Thomas' transition to the new role came "after the completion of a review of the Group’s global growth strategy, following the divestment of the non‐core health club and marina assets."
“During Deborah’s leadership our Company has experienced an unprecedented level of reorientation and change and has positioned itself strongly for solid future growth,” Mr Vernardos said.
Ms Thomas was appointed in April 2015 and oversaw the company's expansion to the US under its Main Event brand, but was criticised for her initial response to the deaths of four people at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast in October.
Ardent has also announced that its chief financial officer Richard Johnson has resigned.
However, the company said his departure came independently of the reshuffle in the CEO role.
“We are sorry to lose Richard but we completely understand and support his desire to return with his family to his native UK," Mr Vernados said in Ardent's ASX statement.
"The directors thank Richard for the strong contribution he has made to the Group over 12 years and wish him well for the future."
- with AAP
