Village Roadshow changes see Clark Kirby appointed Theme Parks division Chief Executive

Village Roadshow has announced changes to the management of its Theme Parks division with Clark Kirby - son of Village Roadshow co-Chief Executive Robert Kirby - taking on the role of Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of Village Roadshow Theme Parks (VRTP).

Clark Kirby will replace outgoing Chief Executive Tim Fisher who has been named Chief Executive of VRTP International where he will focus on the group’s expansion into the Asian market.

A statement from Village Roadshow Theme Parks announced the leadership team changes, advising that in his new role “Fisher will spend the majority of his time in Asia and will be responsible for VRTP’s international expansion program and the development of the Asia business.”

The statement added that Clark Kirby will be based out of the Gold Coast with responsibility for Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and the group’s Wet'n'Wild waterparks.

These changes will take place from 1st May 2017.

Clark Kirby is currently Chief Operating Officer of Village Roadshow Limited, VRTP's parent company and has served in a number of roles senior management in the group since joining in 2009.

Fisher joined VRTP in 2008 to drive its expansion in the USA, before becoming Chief Operating Officer under then-Chief Executive John Menzies.

In 2009 he took on his current role while Menzies was promoted to VRTP Chairman.

Prior to joining VRTP, Fisher was Vice President of Viacom Recreation, overseeing the Paramount chain of theme parks prior to their acquisition by Cedar Fair.

Earlier in his career he was Manager of Australia's Wonderland (later Wonderland Sydney) before its sale to Sunway Group.

Under Fisher's leadership, the Gold Coast theme parks were transformed with the introduction of affordble annual passes in 2009 and he managed the ongoing development of Warner Bros. Movie World into the company's flagship theme park with the addition of Green Lantern Coaster, Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D and Doomsday Destroyer.

Clark Kirby and Fisher oversaw a consultation and management agreement with Lai Sun Group to operate a Lionsgate themed experience at Novotown in China, just outside of Macau.

Kirby is only the third Chief Executive in VRTP's history. Prior to Fisher, Menzies had steered the group of theme parks through numerous corporate structures and ownership arrangements.

Tim Fisher was named as one of the 20 most influential people in Australian leisure management in the 20 year anniversary issue of Australasian Leisure Management. 

Images: Clark Kirby (top) and Tim Fisher (below).

14th March 2017 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW THEME PARKS HIGHLIGHTS SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS 

22nd February 2017 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW THEME PARKS EXPERIENCE SUMMER TRADING DECLINE 

25th July 2016 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW TO OPERATE NEW LIONSGATE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE CENTRE IN CHINA

3rd June 2016 - WARNER BROS. MOVIE WORLD CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF MOVIE MAGIC

12th November 2015 - WET’N’WILD’S FIRST CHINESE WATERPARK TO OPEN BEFORE THE END OF 2016 

23rd March 2015 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW ADVANCES ASIAN THEME PARK PLANS WITH JOINT-VENTURE WITH CITIC

4th April 2014 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW ADVANCES PLANS FOR ASIAN THEME AND WATER PARKS

23rd August 2013 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW REPORTS 50% RISE IN FULL YEAR PROFITS

19th October 2012 - VILLAGE ANNOUNCES CHINESE THEME PARK DEAL

9th February 2009 - MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT VILLAGE ROADSHOW THEME PARKS 

29th August 2008 - ... AND FISHER TAKES THE HELM