The Parques Reunidos Group – operator of 55 visitor attractions worldwide – has announced several new appointments to its board ahead of a potential listing on the Spanish Stock Exchanges with Peter Long named its new chair.

Long, who has more than 30 years of international leisure travel industry experience started in the industry in 1984 at International Leisure Group. Establishing Sunworld in 1991, Long made the company the UK’s fifth-largest UK tour operating business in under five years, selling it to Thomas Cook in 1996.

From there Long joined First Choice Holidays, implementing a three-year recovery plan before being appointed chief executive and transforming the company into an international business.

Becoming chief executive of TUI Travel as part of a merger, Long proved a success again, significantly increasing the FTSE 100 Group’s year-on-year profitability.

In December 2014, Long spearheaded a merger between TUI travel and TUI AG, being appointed chief executive of the enlarged group. He is also chair of Royal Mail and a non-executive director and chair of Countrywide.

In addition to Long’s appointment, Nicolás Villén and Johan Svanstrom have been appointed as independent non-executive directors.

Villén is a former CEO of Ferrovial Aeropuertos, the Airport Division of Ferrovial. Prior to that, he acted as CFO for Ferrovial between 1993 and 2009. Svanstrom is leading the Hotels.com and EAN brands, which operate in more than 80 markets worldwide. He is also a member of the Expedia Inc Travel Leadership Team, reporting directly to the company’s CEO.

“We are delighted to welcome Peter, Nicolás and Johan to the Board,” said Fernando Eiroa, CEO of Parques Reunidos. “Together, they bring a wealth of proven, international business background combined with world-class digital expertise and know-how. We are honoured they have agreed to join the business at this exciting time for the company. I would also like to thank Fredrik Arp for his valuable contribution and wise counsel over the past five years as our chair and look forward to working with him in his new capacity as non-executive director”.