Center Parcs finance director to move to William Hill

Simon Lane has resigned as finance director at Center Parcs, just days after the company's profits were reported to have fallen by a third in the first six months of the year.

The profit drop comes after the leisure village operator sold 3D Education and Adventure business to PGL Travel to concentrate on developing its existing sites.

Pre-tax profit dropped from £19.4m in the 24 weeks ended 6 October 2004 to £12.6m for the same period in 2005, although turnover increased slightly to £113.5m, from £113.2m in 2004, thanks to a "typically strong summer season".

Lane will leave the company in the first quarter of 2006 to become finance director of William Hill.

Martin Dalby, chief executive of Center Parcs said: "Simon has played a key role in driving Center Parcs from a privately owned company through its flotation and then on to its establishment as a quoted company. We wish him every success."

Center Parcs is in the process of appointing Lane's replacement.

By Amanda Smith

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