Linda Zou became chief strategy officer for global attractions operator Merlin Entertainments in February 2024. In her new role, Zou is working closely with the rest of the leadership team to design and implement the company’s strategic vision.
“Linda is the perfect executive to lead our organic growth plans and ambitious plans and trajectory. Linda is intellectually curious, a driving force of will and has proven to be an extraordinary teammate,” said Merlin CEO Scott O’Neil.
“She will be an instant value add to Merlin as she brings a wealth of experience and expertise in strategy, innovation, and transformation in the retail and travel sectors which translates directly into our business and allows her to hit the ground running.”
Zou joined Merlin from Boston Consulting Group, where she served as a managing director and partner in London. Before that, she worked in global health and established large-scale health programmes in southern Africa.
“This is a dynamic time for the leisure and entertainment industry. Customer sentiment and tourism patterns are evolving. New technologies bring new opportunities for innovative guest experiences. Advanced analytics tools can make it easier for frontline teams to respond effectively to the market,” said Zou.
“I am excited about the opportunities ahead for Merlin, as we bring more data-driven insight to enhance our guest experience, strengthen our core commercial capabilities across the portfolio, and expand our avenues for growth.”