Geoffrey Thompson (businessman)

William "Geoffrey" Thompson OBE (16 November 1936 – 12 June 2004)[1] was a British businessman who was the managing director and owner of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Pleasureland Southport and Frontierland, Morecambe.

He invested heavily into the Pleasure Beach during his time, opening the Steeplechase, Avalanche, Revolution, Big One, Ice Blast: The Ride and Valhalla.

He sat on a number of trade agencies, such as the English Tourist Board and the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, and was appointed an OBE for this work.

[1] Geoffrey was often in dispute with Blackpool Council over their decision to allow private traders to use land opposite the Pleasure Beach.

After graduating, he moved to America to broaden his education, studying Business Administration at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.