Former Merlin Entertainments CDO Mark Fisher joins immersive performance and hospitality company The Lost Estate

Immersive performance and hospitality company The Lost Estate has appointed former Merlin chief development officer Mark Fisher as non-executive director, with a view to supporting ambitious growth plans in the UK and international markets.

Fisher, who joined The Tussauds Group in 1991 and Merlin in 1995, played a key role in the global success of Legoland, Madame Tussauds, and Sea Life, helping Merlin become the world’s second-largest location-based entertainment company.

Fisher’s role at The Lost Estate will include refining decision-making processes, strengthening industry connections, and identifying new investment and IP opportunities.

“The Lost Estate’s fusion of storytelling, immersive worlds, and experiential hospitality is groundbreaking,” said Fisher. “I am excited to support their ambitious expansion and bring their visionary productions to new markets.”

Founded in 2017 by Royal College of Music graduates Rowan Bell, William Kunhardt, and Steffan Rees, The Lost Estate combines theatre, live music and fine dining to bring historical stories to life. Past shows include the Charles Dickens-themed Great Christmas Feast, the 1930s New York jazz production 58th Street and immersive Swan Lake experience The Great Masked Ball.

The latest experience is a cabaret and mambo spectacular titled Paradise Under the Stars. Launching at the end of March, it will recreate Cuba’s legendary Tropicana Nightclub in the 1950s, featuring live music and performance, a three course Cuban feasting menu inspired by 1950s Havana, and cocktails that were served at the original club bar.

“Our ambition is to become the number one experiential hospitality provider globally,” said co-founder Eddy Hackett, speaking to Attractions Management. “We’re going to do that through really maxing out London, then we're going to look at the rest of the UK. We're looking at Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh as potential targets for Lost Estate venues, and then we’ll look at America, starting with the East Coast.”

Fisher’s appointment is a key part of the Lost Estate’s ambitions, added Hackett. “His track record in scaling world-class attractions and building global brands will be invaluable,” he said.

“Fish’s strategic insight will help refine our operations, enhance our productions, and drive The Lost Estate into a bold new era.”

Describing Paradise Under the Stars, Hackett said: “It will be a night of total immersion and time travel where guests will journey to Cuba in 1958 to the world's most famous cabaret club.

“Guests will experience an evening of world class performance, dining and mixology, where the food and the drink are taken from the recipes and restaurants of Cuba of the day.

“They will be part of a spectacular cabaret evening as guests at this incredible club that's been handcrafted by extraordinary artisans. It will be the most amazing hospitality experience.”