Theme Parks: Drayton Manor appoints new park operations manager Blooloop

Industry veteran brings 30 years experience to key role at UK park

Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire, UK, has appointed David Bromilow to the position of park operations manager.

A park industry veteran of over 30 years, Bromilow brings a broad knowledge of the business to his new role having worked in both large and small parks around the globe in various capacities, in addition to other sectors of the leisure industry. A qualified mechanical engineer, his specific areas of expertise are considerable and include ride and attraction operations, maintenance, inspection, health and safety and risk management.

Bromilow’s career in the parks industry began in 1977 when he became a senior maintenance engineer at the UK’s Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Five years later he moved to the US as director of operations and engineering at Magic Harbour theme park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, followed by a position as director at consultants Coulter Hoffman & Associates, also in the US.

There followed 10 years as an independent consultant providing a range of services to clients in the theme park and other leisure sectors, including Universal Studios Theme Parks, Paramount Parks, Busch Gardens Theme Parks and the Six Flags Group, along with various sports and event venues worldwide. During this period he was also a member of IAAPA’s safety and engineering committee for the amusement and leisure industry and led the field in developing and performing independent amusement ride inspection programmes, and operational and maintenance programme reviews in the US.

More recently, Bromilow was with London based insurance provider SLE Worldwide as risk control manager, providing specialist risk management services.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with the Bryan and Pawley families at Drayton Manor, ” he said. “It’s a major UK park and I feel I have much to offer. I appreciate the fact the family has put a lot of trust in me. It’s a challenging role but I’m up for it and very much looking forward to adding my experience in all aspects of park operations to that which is already here. It’s a great environment at Drayton, both for the staff and of course for visitors, and I’m delighted to be part of that. And it’s great to be back in the ‘front line’ of the business.”

Commenting on the appointment, Drayton Manor’s general manager park operations Edward Pawley said: “I’m very happy to welcome David to the Drayton team. He brings a wealth of industry experience to the role and will be a great asset in many different ways. He has a huge knowledge of park operations and everything that entails, which can only benefit the park and those working with him. I’m delighted to have in on board.”

Bromilow joins Drayton Manor in what is a particularly significant year for the park, 2010 being the 60th. anniversary of the venue’s first season of operation which will be marked with a number of special events, including a summer ball and an end of season party. A big summer feature of the Diamond Jubilee year will also be the chance to ‘win a diamond, ’ with a host of other giveaways also currently being developed.

The start of another major development for the park will also take place in 2010 with the commencement of the building of a 152 room hotel in March, which is due to open in the summer of 2011. And as far as new attractions for the coming season are concerned, the 4D effects theatre which made its debut last year will this year feature Happy Feet in 4D, based on the Academy Award Winning, computer-animated comedy drama produced by Warner Bros. Additionally, a new Dino Trail will also be opened in an area adjacent to the zoo and close to Farmer McColl’s Farm, offering an exciting, dinosaur based walk-through adventure for all the family.

And finally, it is also a significant year for the key character featured in Drayton Manor’s Thomas Land, Thomas the Tank Engine, who celebrates his 65th. birthday later in the year, on December 4th. Birthday celebrations will be incorporated into the park’s Christmas opening period to mark the special occasion in style.