Blackpool Pleasure Beach promotes two to board

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has promoted two of its team to the board of directors.

Andy Hygate has worked in visitor attractions for more than 20 years. As operations director he will lead the ride, park services and gardening teams.

His role has a direct impact on the delivery of the guest experience and the efficient and safe operation of all Blackpool Pleasure Beach's famous rides and attractions, including the iconic Big One and the newly re-imagined Valhalla.

Andy also claims to be a rollercoaster aficionado, having ridden hundreds of different coasters all over the world.

He said: “This is my ninth season here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and I absolutely love being out and about in the park talking to guests. I’m excited to join the board members and continue to develop my career within a world-class business. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has a really prosperous future and I’m pleased to be part of it.”

Joining the existing six directors will also be Karl Murphy, who leads the engineering department including the structures and facilities teams with a headcount of over 70 staff.

As engineering director, Karl and his team have the responsibility of keeping all the parks rides and attractions maintained to the highest possible standard.

His team works throughout the year with most planned maintenance work carried out throughout the winter months ready for the opening season.

Karl said: “After having started my career as an engineering apprentice when leaving school, and working various jobs growing up, I joined Blackpool Pleasure Beach to seek out more opportunities within my field.

"I am really lucky to work with a great network of talented people, and I’m looking forward to bringing fresh ideas along with my industry knowledge to an already existing exceptional board of directors.”

Amanda Thompson, chief executive, said: “We welcome these two new board directors with great pride. As we continue to grow and develop as experts within our field, it is vital that we develop the staff that contribute to ensuring that we continue to be the best in the industry – they sit right at the foundations of everything we do.

"We want to congratulate both Andy and Karl and thank them for their continuous hard work over the years. We look forward to them joining us around the board
table.”