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Q&A with Nigel Kilgallon

11/07/2019

Keoghs case handler, Beth Mcnally, chats with Nigel Kilgallon from Blackpool Pleasure Beach Group of Companies, discovering the strangest claim he’s encountered and a propensity for Miami Vice…

Nigel, what’s your role at Blackpool Pleasure Beach?

I am the Group Legal Counsel and Main Board Director at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Group of Companies. In my role I advise on all legal issues affecting the Group including Regulatory and HR matters.

Who do you work with?

I work with an amazing (non-legal) Executive Manager who deals with all my administrative work and liaises with external professionals. We have a wide range of internal expertise within the Group and we work in a collaborative environment. I also have daily contact with the Executive Board.

How did your career start and what lessons have you learnt on the way up?

I began my career as an accountant working in industry but then qualified as a solicitor, moving in a traditional way to Partner level, before leaving general practice and joining the Pleasure Beach Group.

In terms of lessons - treat people with respect, never shy away from asking questions (don’t assume), and keep your client updated (even if it may not be good news).

What do you most enjoy about working at Blackpool Pleasure Beach?

The sheer variety of work. As sole Counsel I am the point of contact for a wide range of legal advice, which is both stimulating and challenging.

What type of claims do you see most often?

It is part of my role to ensure that claims don’t arise, but we do experience guests who, in the pursuit of fun on our rides and attractions, don’t always adhere to instructions. I am pleased with the long overdue reforms in PL claims to redress the balance since the WOOLF initiatives.

What is the strangest claim you have ever dealt with?

A guest in his mid 70’s misjudged getting onto a chair lift attraction (similar to those in ski resorts) and the impact of the moving seat into his ‘privates’ caused (so he alleged) an interruption to his very active sex life.

He was represented by a firm of Liverpool solicitors (known for their very aggressive litigation approach and curt correspondence). Disclosure and witness statements were interesting, but the claim failed on liability.

What do you see as the biggest challenge in your sector?

In a very competitive market ensuring that our products and services meet and exceed guest expectations.

What are you most looking forward to for your business in the next 12 months

Opening this spring, our new 120 room Boulevard Hotel which is on the seafront at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

What is your favourite ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach?

I should say our £16.5m ICON rollercoaster which opened last year and is an amazing white knuckle ride, but it’s actually our Wallace & Gromit ride, Thrill-O-Matic (perhaps it’s an age thing!).

Do you remember your first visit to the theme park?

It was back in the 1980’s, I had ‘big’ hair with clothes that tried to emulate Crockett and Tubbs from the TV series Miami Vice. Fortunately I’ve still got the hair (though not now so big) and the clothes are much more conservative!

For more information, please contact Bethany Mcnally

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Bethany Mcnally

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