Management shake up at one of Wales' best known firms

Zip World's Velocity attraction in North Wales.(Image: Zip World)

Leading UK adventure operator Zip World has shaken up its senior management team as it focuses on further expansion. Last year the business became majority-owned by private equity firm Dolphin Capital in a £100m investment.

The management shake up sees Martin Evans joining as chief executive, Kristian Merritt as chief technology and marketing officer and Kirsten Price as people director. Fuad Jishi will join as chief financial officer from retailer Iceland in January 2027.

The new leaders join David Kaminsky, chief operating officer, and Darren Stevens, development director, who both continue in their roles. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

Collectively, the appointments bring significant experience across leisure, customer experience, digital, brand, people and finance.

Former chief executive Andrew Hudson and former chief financial office, Matt Britton, have departed and are no longer involved in the management of the business. Founder, Sean Taylor remains a non executive director and minority shareholder.

The Gwynedd headquartered business has 30 experiences across eight parks in England and Wales. Home to the fastest zip line in the world at Penrhyn Quarry, Velocity reaches speeds of more than 100mph. Zip World started with its flagship adventure in 2013 with only eight members of staff and has seen significant growth since then.

Earlier this year it took over the running, from Wire & Sky, of the WRU’s roof walk and zipwire attraction at the Principality Stadium. Zip World is confident it can turn around the performance of the loss-making attraction with a more focused marketing drive working alongside the WRU.

Mr Evans joins Zip World from David Lloyd Clubs, where he was chief commercial officer.

He said: “Zip World is one of the most distinctive adventure brands in the UK, with brilliant people, unforgettable experiences and enormous potential. It is a privilege to lead the business into its next chapter.

“We want to set the global benchmark for safe, exceptional adventure experiences and become even more customer-led by listening closely to our visitors. Our priority is to identify where the greatest opportunities lie and move quickly to turn that potential into growth, while giving our teams the support and confidence to deliver their very best for every visitor.”

Mr Merritt said:“The experience(customer) begins long before a visitor arrives at one of our parks. Every search, advert, webpage, booking step and message shapes their expectations of the adventure ahead.

By connecting our technology, data, marketing and in-park journey, we can make every interaction simpler, more personal and more exciting. The opportunity is to remove friction, build anticipation and ensure the experience lives up to the adventure from the very first interaction.”

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