After nearly 19 years with experience design firm BRC Imagination Arts, COO Scott Ault has left to be president and CEO of newly-formed design and development company, Rethink Leisure and Entertainment.

Based in Burbank, California, the new venture aims to become a major player in the leisure and entertainment industry and Ault has "hit the ground running," currently managing several global projects.

Details are being closely-guarded at this stage, but the company is already engaged to design and develop four separate resorts – encompassing hotels, spas, a theme park and a waterpark – in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.

Ault and his team are also working on design and layout for a multi-screen cinema complex with a mall and a selection of day and night dining and entertainment experiences.

On the entertainment side, Rethink is in the process of developing two animated cartoon series.

Ault admits he is a man with "a lot on his plate", but says he's relishing the creative freedoms of overseeing a new venture with "tremendous potential."

“I’m having a blast, we’re still in the process of setting everything up but I’m enjoying the exposure and challenges presented by a new venture,” he told Attractions Management. “I absolutely loved my time at BRC and wasn’t looking for a move, but a couple of industry contacts came forward with this offer and it was too good to refuse.

“I think one of the reasons they were eager to get me on board was my experience and industry contacts – I’m in my final term on the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) board of directors, for example. Although Rethink is already a member of TEA, as well as IAAPA."

Rethink is a subsidiary of multinational holding company, Al Ahli Holding Group (AAHG). AAHG was formed over 40 years ago and has since evolved into a multi-disciplined corporation with a total of 30 businesses ranging from real estate, turnkey construction and engineering products to factories, shopping malls, retail, logistics, mining and strategic and innovative developments.

In recent years AAHG has added integrated entertainment activities to its portfolio, with projects in the UAE and globally.

Ault is reporting directly to its international board of directors and says he's confident in the global growth of the business.