Ardent Leisure chairman is set to retire

Theme park and bowling alley operator Ardent Leisure Group has announced its chairman Neil Balnaves will retire in November.

Entertainment and media industry veteran Neil Balnaves will step down as chairman and as a non-executive director of theme park operator Ardent Leisure Group.

Mr Balnaves, who will retire in November after being chairman of Ardent Leisure for the past 13 years, said the group had a clear growth strategy after selling its health clubs and marina businesses to focus on its theme parks and venues, including Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and AMF.

Mr Balnaves has 50-plus years in the media industry and played a key role in media group Southern Star's share market float. He'll be replaced by Ardent Leisure's non-executive director George Venardos.