The Executive Board plays an important role in our governance. They meet quarterly and make key decisions which are carefully considered and, if appropriate, then implemented by the Operating Board and the relevant operating companies.
The Operating Board meets monthly to discuss operational matters and ensures the strategy and culture align and are embedded and communicated to all colleagues. This is supported by regular senior management meetings and colleague quarterly forums, which are open to everyone.
The Non-Executive Chairman provides expert support and advice to the Executive and Operating Boards and adds an additional layer of accountability to the business.
We know that there is a lack of diversity on the Boards and we are actively working to address this. We strive to create an inclusive environment and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce which should, in turn, increase diversity at the most senior levels in the coming years. We currently offer a Women’s Development Programme, as well as a mentoring scheme to support the professional growth of women in the business, and we have an ongoing diversity and inclusion programme aimed at developing and supporting our colleagues.
Executive Board
Colin McKinlay, Chief Executive Officer
Colin joined Center Parcs as Chief Financial Officer in 2017 and took on the role of CEO in 2022. Prior to this, he held the position of Finance Director at TUI Travel Northern Europe (2010-2017) and has held a number of senior financial roles at businesses operating in the travel industry, including Chief Financial Officer at Thomas Cook UK & Ireland (2004-2006).
Martin Peter Dalby, Non-Executive Chairman
Martin Dalby served as CEO of Center Parcs for 22 years and took on the role of Non-Executive Chairman in 2022. Prior to joining Center Parcs, he held various accounting positions with Scottish and Newcastle (1978-1995) before joining Center Parcs as Financial Controller (1995-1997), followed by Finance Director (1997-2000). He led the Group through the change of company ownership from Scottish and Newcastle to Deutsche Bank Capital Partners (subsequently MidOcean Partners); the acquisition and integration of Oasis Whinfell Forest; the listing of the business on AIM in 2003; the transition to the London Stock Exchange’s main list in 2005; the subsequent purchases by the Blackstone Funds (2006) and the Brookfield Funds (2015); and the challenges faced by the business during the coronavirus pandemic (2020/21). In addition, he oversaw the building and opening of both Center Parcs Woburn Forest (2014) and Center Parcs Longford Forest (2019).
Katrina Jamieson, Chief Finance Officer
Katrina joined Center Parcs as Chief Finance Officer in 2022. Prior to this, she held the position of Group Financial Controller at Currys plc (2019-2022), with responsibility for the UK, Ireland, Nordics and Greece, and has held a number of senior roles across retail businesses, including Digital Director, Business Transformation Director and Interim Group CFO at Halfords.
Brad Hyler, Shareholder Director
Brad Hyler is a Managing Partner in Brookfield’s Real Estate Group and Head of Real Estate in Europe. He is responsible for overseeing all real estate activities in the region, including investments, portfolio management and new fund formation. He has been instrumental in the creation and expansion of Brookfield’s logistics and student housing operating platforms. Prior to joining Brookfield in 2011, he held various positions at O’Connor Capital Partners and Jones Lang Lasalle. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Benedict Tobias Annable, Shareholder Director
Benedict Annable is a Managing Director of Brookfield Property Group and is responsible for advising on all legal aspects of Brookfield’s real estate platform, specifically focusing on European acquisitions, dispositions and related financings. Since joining Brookfield in 2018, he has been involved in several acquisitions across various asset classes and jurisdictions, including offices, student housing and apart'hotel businesses and assets in the UK, France and Spain. Prior to joining Brookfield, he was a Partner at the law firm of Mishcon de Reya LLP, where he focused on acquisitions, disposals, investments and joint ventures, primarily in the real estate sector. He holds a BA (Hons) from Durham University.
Andrea Colasanti, Shareholder Director
Andrea Colasanti is a Senior Vice President in Brookfield’s Property Group, involved in the Asset Management for Brookfield’s European real estate investments. Since joining Brookfield in London in 2018, he has been involved in several Asset Management activities and transactions for Brookfield’s real estate group across hospitality, student housing and logistics in various European countries (UK, France, Germany, Portugal). Before joining Brookfield, he worked for PwC, where he focused on financial due diligence and corporate finance in the real estate sector. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Economics and Business from Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome.
Operating Board
Colin McKinlay, Chief Executive Officer
Colin joined Center Parcs as Chief Financial Officer in 2017 and took on the role of CEO in 2022. Prior to this, he held the position of Finance Director at TUI Travel Northern Europe (2010-2017) and has held a number of senior financial roles at businesses operating in the travel industry, including Chief Financial Officer at Thomas Cook UK & Ireland (2004-2006).
Martin Peter Dalby, Non-Executive Chairman
Martin Dalby served as CEO of Center Parcs for 22 years and took on the role of Non-Executive Chairman in 2022. Prior to joining Center Parcs, he held various accounting positions with Scottish and Newcastle (1978-1995) before joining Center Parcs as Financial Controller (1995-1997), followed by Finance Director (1997-2000). He led the Group through the change of company ownership from Scottish and Newcastle to Deutsche Bank Capital Partners (subsequently MidOcean Partners); the acquisition and integration of Oasis Whinfell Forest; the listing of the business on AIM in 2003; the transition to the London Stock Exchange’s main list in 2005; the subsequent purchases by the Blackstone Funds (2006) and the Brookfield Funds (2015); and the challenges faced by the business during the coronavirus pandemic (2020/21). In addition, he oversaw the building and opening of both Center Parcs Woburn Forest (2014) and Center Parcs Longford Forest (2019).
Katrina Jamieson, Chief Finance Officer
Katrina joined Center Parcs as Chief Finance Officer in 2022. Prior to this, she held the position of Group Financial Controller at Currys plc (2019-2022), with responsibility for the UK, Ireland, Nordics and Greece, and has held a number of senior roles across retail businesses, including Digital Director, Business Transformation Director and Interim Group CFO at Halfords.
Rajbinder Singh-Dehal, Chief Corporate Officer
Raj joined Center Parcs as Company Secretary in 2009 with responsibility for legal, pensions, health & safety, insurance and risk. He was appointed Head of Legal and Commercial Services in 2012 and assumed responsibility for Procurement in addition to his previous responsibilities. In 2015, he was appointed HR and Commercial Services Director, adding Human Resources to his remit and joining the Center Parcs Operating Board. In 2020, he was appointed Chief Corporate Officer and assumed responsibility for IT. Before joining Center Parcs, Raj was Head of the Corporate & Commercial legal team at Alliance & Leicester plc. He started his career with Eversheds LLP, where he practised as a corporate lawyer, advising large- to medium-sized public and private companies. He qualified as a Solicitor in 2001.
Steve Hustler, Chief Development and Construction Officer
Steve joined Center Parcs in 2015 as Head of Estates, Assets and Development, moving into the position of Director of Estates, Assets & Development in 2020. In 2023, he took on the role of Chief Development and Construction Officer. Prior to joining Center Parcs, he held a number of roles in construction, facilities management and capital development in both the public and private sector, working for companies such as John Lewis Partnership and British Land. He previously held the roles of Assistant Director of Estates Development and Sustainability at Sheffield Hallam University and Commercial Director at Baymark Limited Shopfitting. He is CIWFM qualified.
Cathryn Petchey, Chief People Officer
Cathryn joined Center Parcs in 2024, prior to this she was Global People Director at Superdry and HR Director at Mulberry. Cathryn has a wealth of experience across consumer and retail businesses, both in the UK and globally. Cathryn started her career on the M&S graduate scheme and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.
Colin Whaley, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
Colin joined British Airways in 1987, gaining broad experience in a number of departments before being appointed as Head of Sales and Marketing with BA Holidays in June 1998. Following the acquisition of BA Holidays by Thomas Cook Holidays he headed up Sales and Marketing for the newly merged company, later adding ebookers and Bridge The World to the multi-brand portfolio. In 2002 he took up the position of Marketing Director at Travelbag Limited. After this business was acquired by ebookers, Colin was promoted to Marketing Director of ebookers (UK). He joined Center Parcs in 2004 as Sales and Marketing Director.
Alan Park, Chief Village Operations Officer
Alan joined Center Parcs in 2004 as UK Operations Manager, responsible for Leisure, Spa, Retail, Guest Services and Security. He was then appointed as Regional Director of Operations in 2012 with responsibility for Elveden Forest, Longleat Forest and Woburn Forest. He took responsibility for all five villages in 2016 as Director of Village Operations, before joining the Operating Board as Operations Director in 2017. Prior to Center Parcs, Alan held senior positions with BUPA Hospitals and Eurostar, where he was part of the opening team, and then went on to be Head of UK Terminals and Customer Service. In his earlier career he worked for the Home Office at Heathrow and In-Flight Operations in the Royal Air Force.
Paul Kent, Non-Executive Director
Paul started his career in retail management with Safeway plc and joined Center Parcs in 1987, when the first village was established in the UK. During his career with Center Parcs UK he has held a variety of roles with responsibility for Retail, Leisure and Food & Beverage, before moving to the position of General Manager at Sherwood Forest and then taking up the UK Operations Manager role in 2002. In 2004 he was appointed to the position of Commercial Director and, in 2012, took over responsibility for both Operations and Development. He was appointed Development and Construction Director in 2017 and, in 2023, took on the role of Non-Executive Director.
