accesso Technology Group PLC, a leading technology provider for attractions worldwide, has announced the appointment of Lee Cowie as its chief operating officer. Cowie has over 15 years of experience as a senior international executive, focusing on digital transformation, operational strategy, and technology-driven initiatives.
Cowie’s career has included leadership roles in both B2B and B2C environments. Most recently, he was the group head of technology at Nando’s, which has over 1,200 restaurants in 30 countries.
Before that, he served as chief technology officer at Merlin Entertainments. During his 7 years at Merlin, he led technological efforts across over 125 attractions in 28 countries, shaping the digital experiences for over 60 million annual visitors.
Cowie’s leadership experience also includes Ericsson, where he successfully integrated operations from multiple global business acquisitions, such as Red Bee Media. He also oversaw functions that delivered and operated various mission-critical B2B products and services.
Throughout his career, he has consistently emphasised aligning technology strategies with business objectives, promoting efficient methodologies, and cultivating high-performing teams.
Deep expertise in the leisure sector
“We are thrilled to welcome Lee Cowie to our leadership team,” says Steve Brown, CEO.
“His unique experience as a former client, combined with his deep expertise in the leisure sector, makes him an invaluable addition. Lee’s passion for building high-performing teams and client-centric solutions, along with his focus on high-quality customer delivery, aligns perfectly with our vision for the future.”
As COO, Cowie will oversee operations, engineering, product, and product delivery. He earned an MBA from Henley Business School and a BSc from Imperial College London.
Last year, accesso announced a new collaboration with immersive attractions company Little Lion Entertainment. Under this agreement, the accesso Passport eCommerce ticketing suite and Ingresso ticketing distribution technology will be deployed at the operator’s locations, including Games Arena in Manchester, The Crystal Maze Live Experience London, and The Crystal Maze Live Experience Manchester.
