John Jakobsen

John heads up LEGOLAND Resorts Group and is responsible for all new and existing LEGOLAND Resorts globally, supporting Merlin’s dynamic growth plans.

He was previously Merlin’s Chief New Openings Officer responsible for all new attraction openings including six new LEGOLAND Resorts and the integration of acquisitions.

John started his career at the LEGO Group following a business degree, and subsequently took on the challenge to expand the LEGOLAND franchise outside of its homeland in Denmark. Having first worked on projects in the UK (LEGOLAND Windsor opened in 1996) he project managed the first US LEGOLAND Park, based in California; before moving into general park management first in Germany and then back in California.

John joined Merlin’s senior management team as part of the acquisition of LEGOLAND Parks in 2005, and as Managing Director LEGOLAND Parks oversaw both the continued development of the Group's existing LEGOLAND Parks into successful short break resorts for families with young children; and the identification and planning for new LEGOLAND parks around the world, including the opening of LEGOLAND resorts in Florida and Malaysia.