Mark Woodbury

Mark Woodbury is chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, a division of Comcast NBCUniversal that creates and operates innovative and themed entertainment experiences.

In this role, Woodbury oversees all aspects of the company’s destinations across the globe, including Universal Orlando in Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood in California, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal Beijing.

Before being named chairman and CEO in 2021, he served as vice chairman and president of Universal Creative, the team that develops, plans and designs all Universal attractions and destinations worldwide.

Woodbury joined Universal more than 30 years ago as a member of the creative leadership team behind Universal Studios Florida. As chief creative officer, he led the expansion of Universal Orlando, including Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, on-site hotels, and Universal CityWalk.

Woodbury, a licensed architect, was key in the development and opening of Universal Studios Japan, and oversaw the design and development of Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Beijing. Woodbury’s work includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.

His contribution to the wider attractions industry was recognised in 2019 by the Themed Entertainment Association when he won the Buzz Price Lifetime Achievement Award.

One nomination says Woodbury has been “the single most influential person in the ascension of Universal theme parks to the heights they've achieved today”.

It adds, “This year he achieved a stellar milestone as Epic Universe – a theme park which has been called one of the finest in the world – opened its doors after he shepherded its creation for nearly a decade.”