SeaLink head to retire

MANAGING director of SeaLink Travel Group, Jeffrey Ellison, has announced his intention to retire, with the move set to take effect following the company’s AGM in Oct 2019.

Ellison has been at the helm of the business for more than 21 years, steering it from private ownership through to the initial public offering in 2013, and will remain as ceo until a replacement is appointed.

Chairman Andrew McEvoy said that while under Ellis’ leadership, SeaLink became one of the country’s biggest tourism and transport operators.

“He will be leaving the company with great profit growth prospects and balance sheet, a very capable & focused executive team & strong momentum in the business,” McEvoy said.

MEANWHILE the company has posted its full year results, boasting record sales of $209.4m, up 4% from $201.4m recorded in the same period last year and positioning itself for a strong earnings year ahead.

The sales spike was reportedly driven by the acquisition of Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island, new ferry services and growth in core tourism and transport operations across South Australia, south-east Queensland, Townsville and NSW.

The company has also reported that its underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) came in at $22.1 million for the period, down 7.1% on the previous year.