Disney’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand is making a return to Europe to run Euro Disney.

Catherine Powell, who previously held roles as Disney Media Distribution’s senior vice president for sales and as executive director of sales for the UK and Ireland, Nordics, Benelux region and Israel, will lead Euro Disney as its new president.

Powell replaces the outgoing Tom Wolber, who is returning to the US to take on operational responsibilities for Disney cruise line.

“We are thrilled to welcome Catherine to Disneyland Paris,” said Karl Holz, president of New Vacation Operations and Disney Cruise Line. “Catherine has held a variety of senior leadership roles throughout the world for Disney, including in Australia and Europe, and has proven to be an exceptional leader who has the versatility and experience needed to lead the continued success of Disneyland Paris.”

Prior to joining Disney, Powell spent seven years working for BBC Worldwide, holding senior TV sales roles across multiple territories worldwide. She will start her new position in July, working alongside Tom Wolber through a transition period.

Euro Disney has struggled in recent years, with a “continued economic softness, notably in France” blamed by Powell’s predecessor. She joins the company on the back of reduced losses for the 2014-2015 financial year, with net losses of €101.9m (US$116m, £81.2m) against €113.7m (US$129.4m, £90.7m) the year previously. In 2014, Euro Disney agreed a €1bn (US$1.2bn, £785m) restructuring of debt, with the Paris-based Theme Park receiving backing from its largest shareholder – Walt Disney.