SeaLink’s Ellison to retire

JEFF Ellison, managing director of SeaLink Travel Group, is set to retire from his role on or before Oct 2019, with the intention of remaining as ceo until a successor is appointed.

Ellison has led the company for more than 21 years, during which it has transitioned from a small privately owned SA business to a top 300 ASX public company.

He said with SeaLink’s strategy established as an integrated provider of transport and tourism experiences, “I firmly believe that now is the time to give a new generation of leaders the opportunity to build on the strong platform that now exists”.

The company also today announced record sales of $209.4 million for the year to 30 Jun, an increase of 4% driven by the acquisition of Kingfisher Bay Resort Group on Fraser Island as well as growth in its core operations across the country.

Statutory net profit before tax was down 20% to $27.5m, with the company declaring an 8c per share final dividend.

Sales for the Captain Cook Cruises operations rose 8.1% but saw an 87% drop in earnings, due to start-up costs and trading losses related to the new Rottnest Island ferry and services between Manly and Barangaroo in Sydney.

SeaLink SA saw revenue decline about 5% to $64.2m, due to the full year impact of the Jun 2017 closure of its NSW travel centre and lower accommodation sales.

Ellison said SeaLink was well positioned to significantly improve on its 2018 result.