Notification of Transactions of

Persons Discharging Managerial Responsibility (PDMRs)

Grant of Awards to PDMRs under the Company's Performance Share Plan

The Company announces that on 11 April 2018 the following Executive Directors and other PDMRs, as set out against their names in the tables below, were granted awards over 1 pence ordinary shares in the capital of the Company under the Company's relevant Performance Share Plan (PSP).

TABLE 1 - AWARD OF PSP SHARES

Name

Position

Number of Shares under PSP Awards

Nick Varney

Chief Executive Officer

438,819

Anne-Francoise Nesmes

Chief Financial Officer

287,706

Mark Allsop

Chief Digital Marketing and Information Officer

75,569

Natalie Bickford

Group HR Director

78,042

Mark Fisher

Chief Development Officer

86,378

John Jakobsen

Chief New Openings Officer

86,378

Matt Jowett

General Counsel and Company Secretary

78,042

Nick Mackenzie

Managing Director - Midway Operating Group

86,378

Fraser Montgomery

Group Commercial Director

64,314

Hans Aksel Pedersen

Managing Director - LEGOLAND Parks

79,817

Justin Platt

Managing Director - Resort Theme Parks

75,569

As detailed in the 2017 Directors' Remuneration Report, awards have now been granted to the Executive Directors at up to 250% of salary, with both Mr Varney and Ms Nesmes receiving awards at the level of 250% of salary.

The award to Ms Nesmes reflects an increase of 25% of salary on the award she received in 2017. This is to reflect the breadth of her role which also includes responsibility for implementing the Company's commercial agenda. The Committee is comfortable enhancing her award on the basis that the additional award is subject to targets directly relating to targeted improvements in the Company's commercial operations.

As a result of the above, the performance targets that apply to all positions named above other than Ms Nesmes relate 80% to the financial targets set out below with 20% relating to the strategic targets detailed below. For Ms Nesmes, 80% of her award relates to the financial targets set out below with 10% relating to the strategic targets and 10% relating to the commercial targets. The range of financial targets detailed below were included in the 2017 Directors' Remuneration Report along with a summary of the strategic targets. The summary of the commercial targets was not included in the 2017 Directors' Remuneration Report as they had not been confirmed at the time of preparing the document.

The performance conditions that apply to the awards are detailed below.

Financial Targets

EPS performance condition (40% of each award)

(2017 base year EPS to 2020)

Adjusted EPS growth

% of EPS part vesting

Below threshold

< 3% p.a.growth

0%

Threshold

3% p.a. growth

20%

Between thresholdand maximum

3% - 10% p.a. growth

20% to100% onsliding scale

Maximum

10 % p.a. growth

100%

ROCE performance condition (40% of each award)

(average of 2018, 2019 and 2020)

Average ROCE

% of ROCE part vesting

Below threshold

< 8%

0%

Threshold

8%

25%

Between thresholdand maximum

8% - 10%

25% to100% onsliding scale

Maximum

10%

100%

The above Adjusted EPS and ROCE targets exclude the impact of LEGOLAND New York (both the part year forecast 2020 earnings forLEGOLAND New York and the capital expenditure associated with its development). It is expected thatLEGOLAND New York will be included in any future PSP awards when there would be at least a full year's trading included in the earnings.

Strategic and Commercial targets (20% of each award)

Measure (assessed from 2018 to 2020)

Productivity (strategic)

Thetargetsmeasurethe benefits ofbusiness simplification projectsand efficiencyimprovementsfrominvestments insystems andprocesses.

Newbusiness development(strategic)

The targets include thedeliveryof newattractionsand their subsequentperformance. This will include newmidwayattractions,new accommodation and new LEGOLAND Parks.

Customer satisfaction (strategic)

Customersare at the heartofourbusinessandthetargetsare structuredmeasuring performance based onexternal surveydata.

Groupcommercialactivities(commercial)

Wehaveset targets relatingtoimproving performance inour commercialactivities (includingretail, food &beverages, photos,gamesandprocurement). Thetargetsincorporate both mediumto long-term concept/range developmentandimproving grossprofit margins. Thistargetisspecific to the Chief Financial Officer giventhebreadthof her responsibilities (see below).

Each of the Strategic and Commercial Targets set out in the table above will be independently assessed at the end of the performance period.

The specific strategic and commercial targets are considered to be commercially sensitive and will be disclosed in full, along with actual performance, at the time of vesting in the 2020 Directors' Remuneration Report.

As in 2017, the vesting of any element of the awards will be subject to satisfying a health and safety underpin which enables the Committee to scale back or indeed cancel awards if it decides that it is appropriate to do so. Market standard recovery and withholding provisions also apply (i.e. trigger events include material misstatement, error or misconduct).

In addition, the Company announces that on 11 April 2018 the following PDMRs, as set out against their names in the tables below, were granted Restricted Share Awards over 1 pence ordinary shares in the capital of the Company under the Company's PSP. These awards are not subject to performance conditions and will ordinarily vest on the third anniversary of grant, subject to continued employment.

TABLE 2 - RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS

Name

Position

Number of Shares under Restricted Share Awards

Mark Allsop

Chief Digital Marketing and Information Officer

13,739

Natalie Bickford

Group HR Director

71,792

Mark Fisher

Chief Development Officer

15,705

John Jakobsen

Chief New Openings Officer

15,705

Matt Jowett

General Counsel and Company Secretary

71,792

Nick Mackenzie

Managing Director - Midway Operating Group

15,705

Fraser Montgomery

Group Commercial Director

11,693

Hans Aksel Pedersen

Managing Director - LEGOLAND Parks

14,512

Justin Platt

Managing Director - Resort Theme Parks

13,739

Set out below are the notifications, made in accordance with the requirements of the EU Market Abuse Regulation, in relation to the PSP.

For further information please contact:

Matthew Jowett

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Merlin Entertainments plc

00 44 1202 634 955

13 April 2018

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Nick Varney

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Chief Executive Officer

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

438,819

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Anne-Francoise Nesmes

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Chief Financial Officer

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

287,706

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Mark Allsop

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Chief Digital Marketing and Information Officer

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

89,308

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Natalie Bickford

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Group HR Director

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

149,834

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Mark Fisher

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Chief Development Officer

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

102,083

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

John Jakobsen

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Chief New Openings Officer

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

102,083

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Matt Jowett

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

General Counsel and Company Secretary

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

149,834

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Nick Mackenzie

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Managing Director - Midway Operating Group

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

102,083

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Fraser Montgomery

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Group Commercial Director

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

76,007

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Hans Askel Pedersen

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Managing Director - LEGOLAND Parks

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

94,329

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a)

Name

Justin Platt

2

Reason for the notification

a)

Position/status

Managing Director - Resort Theme Parks

b)

Initial Notification / Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer

a)

Name

Merlin Entertainments plc

b)

LEI

549300ZTI0VEFO6WV007

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a)

Description of the financial instrument,

type of instrument

Identification code

Performance Share Plan Award over Ordinary shares of 1 pence each

GB00BDZT6P94

b)

Nature of the transaction

Grant of Performance Share Plan Awards

c)

Price(s) and volumes

Price(s)

Volume(s)

NIL

89,308

d)

Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price

n/a

e)

Date of the transaction

11 April 2018

f)

Place of the transaction

Outside a trading venue

g)

Additional Information

none

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Disclaimer

Merlin Entertainments plc published this content on 13 April 2018 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 13 April 2018 11:41:10 UTC