Cirque du Soleil Appoints Mark Cornell New President & CEO

(eap) Another leadership change at Cirque du Soleil: On 17 November, Mark Cornell (pictured here) assumed his new role as President and CEO of the Canadian entertainment company. He succeeds Daniel Lamarre, who had provisionally resumed the position in April 2025 after Stéphane Lefebvre – appointed President & CEO only in 2021 – left the company again in 2025. Like many companies in the live entertainment sector, Cirque du Soleil also had to reduce thousands of jobs due to the pandemic. Lamarre, who led Cirque du Soleil for almost 20 years until 2021, now returns to his role as Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, in which he will once again focus on driving the company’s development worldwide.

The British executive Mark Cornell is regarded as an experienced international manager whose achievements in financial performance, as well as his expertise in brand development and guest experience, convinced the decision-makers on Cirque du Soleil’s Board. Cornell has held various leadership positions at companies in the entertainment, arts, and luxury consumer goods sectors, including ATG Entertainment, Moët Hennessy USA, Sotheby’s Europe, and Krug Champagne. In his new role, Cornell is expected to lead Cirque du Soleil into its next phase of growth. To do so, Cornell will relocate to Montreal, where Cirque du Soleil is headquartered.

“Mark Cornell embodies bold leadership and operational excellence. His arrival marks an important milestone in our ambition to strengthen our global reach and enrich the experience we offer to audiences worldwide,” said Gabriel de Alba and Jim Murren, Co-Chairmen of the Board, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

Mark Cornell comments, “It is an honour to join Cirque du Soleil, a global icon of creativity and innovation. I have admired this brand for many years, not only for its artistic excellence, but for its ability to connect cultures and inspire audiences around the world. I am excited to collaborate with the talented teams in Montreal and across the globe to write the next chapter of this extraordinary journey.” ■