2025: General Discussion

[BarryZola]

Just an observation, but (in my experience and viewing only) Bianca was quite a prominent figure with all things Alton Towers after her arrival and throughout her stay, until maybe the re-opening of Hex (and probably before that too, to a degree). In the years of the Curse and Nemesis Reborn she was all over it and you got the impression that she was happily working towards making the whole place better. But then, for quite a while, and certainly this season and a little before that, she definitely hasn't been as visble on park or on socials. I think she finally gave up against the Merlin machine last year. It happens. I don't blame her.

 

[DistortAMG]

It is amazing how many experts in the inner workings of Merlin and Alton Towers have piped up in this thread.......

@Blackrock, specifically, I will call you out because your comments clearly show, you are an absolute expert in the subject.
This is not Disney, we are not in Fantasy Land or watching the parade, so let's look at a few facts....please.

Don't take this personally, not at all!! I mean no harm, but because you have voiced so many points as 'fact' in this thread. I am curious to see what you have to say.

 

[rob666]

Highly skilled professionals tend to move on every few years as they shin up the greasy pole.

Lots of people are making out that Merlin is the world's worst employer, they aren't, there are many just as bad.

Most large scale companies do not regard individual members of staff as indispensable...only thoosies.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

People move on, no further information given, nobody is required to give any further information, it is a personal, and personnel, matter.

 

[Dave]

Highly skilled professionals tend to move on every few years as they shin up the greasy pole.

Lots of people are making out that Merlin is the world's worst employer, they aren't, there are many just as bad.

Most large scale companies do not regard individual members of staff as indispensable...only thoosies.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

People move on, no further information given, nobody is required to give any further information, it is a personal, and personnel, matter.

Exactly this.

I know ex Merlin managers who already work for Universal. Their day to day management isn’t really very different, and even universal and Disney are cutting their operating budgets recently, it’s just they are starting from a higher bar.

Fact is Merlin operate to a budget set by Blackstone and Kirkby, the best CEO in the world can’t go against their corporate owners. That doesn’t mean having good CEO’s are not important, as they set the strategy but you can’t make gold out of iron.

 

[Benzin]

Was she really much of a breath of fresh air? Or was it just because she did a few public facing videos that people thought she was as such?

End of day if your management aren't holding up their end of the work bargain, you can leave. Done that enough times already myself.

 

[Hid]

The Next question is who comes next as director ideally it would be beneficial for someone with equal experience but also is an enthusiast with knowledge in business and a bit of maintenance experience.

Alton really needs to shift to focusing on guest experience rather than chasing the bottom line it has shifted way too far. Listen to guest feedback and implement changes

 

[owenstreet7]

The Next question is who comes next as director ideally it would be beneficial for someone with equal experience but also is an enthusiast with knowledge in business and a bit of maintenance experience.

Alton really needs to shift to focusing on guest experience rather than chasing the bottom line it has shifted way too far. Listen to guest feedback and implement changes

I believe Bianca was a one in a kind and I'd say it may be a hard act to follow.

Hopefully Merlin will pick the right person although will they push through the projects and changes she did?

 

[Lewis232]

Just noticed on his LinkedIn that Russ Gaines also left Thorpe Park last week (with Bianca congratulating him on his new job in the comments of his post). Does seem with senior management leaving, along with the recent cut backs and redundancies at Ents and MMM, aquarium sell offs, etc. means a big restructure is likely happening in the background.