Merlin Entertainments : Blackstone/CVC Directors to step down at AGM

4 March 2015

Merlin Entertainments plc

Blackstone and CVC Representative Non-Executive Directors not to stand for re-election at AGM

The Board of Merlin Entertainments plc, a global leader in branded, location-based family entertainment, announces that Dr Gerry Murphy and Rob Lucas, the nominated Representative Non-Executive Directors of Blackstone and CVC respectively on the Merlin Board, have confirmed that they will not stand for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting of the Company (expected to take place in May 2015).

Blackstone has been a shareholder in Merlin since 2005, when it supported Merlin's transformational acquisition of the LEGOLAND Parks.  CVC became a major shareholder in 2010.  Blackstone and CVC were, along with KIRKBI, the holding and investment company owning 75% of the LEGO Group, the principal shareholders of the Company prior to its IPO in November 2013.  Both Gerry and Rob were Directors of Merlin prior to the IPO and continued to represent Blackstone and CVC respectively on the Board after the IPO.  On 3 March 2015, it was announced that Blackstone and CVC had sold all their remaining shares in the Company.

Sir John Sunderland, Chairman of Merlin, commented:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my thanks to Gerry and Rob for their significant contribution to Merlin, both before and since the IPO.  Both Blackstone and CVC have been hugely supportive shareholders both prior to and during Merlin's successful IPO process and subsequently during its operation as a listed plc.  Throughout that time both Gerry and Rob have demonstrated the real value that the best private equity investors can bring to a company like Merlin."

For further information please contact:

Merlin Entertainments plc

+44 (0)1202 440 082

Alistair Windybank, Investor Relations

Simon Whittington, Investor Relations

Tulchan Communications

+44(0)207 353 4200

Susanna Voyle

Victoria Huxster

About Merlin Entertainments plc

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates over 100 attractions, 11 hotels and 3 holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its more than 60 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its circa 26,000 employees.