Ian Riches' CV
A respected senior British leisure industry professional. Managing Director
of a major UK-based cinema circuit turning over £80 million per annum. Extensive
multi-site operational management and real estate experience throughout the
United Kingdom, Europe and the Far East.
June 2002 to present CinemaWorks Ltd.
Owner & director of UK based consultancy, CinemaWorks. Most recently worked
with MegaStar Media Co. in Vietnam constructing and operating 7 cinema complexes
with a total of 53 screens over a 4 year period. Also carried out projects
for IFC (Russia), the Araneta Group (Philippines), Reel Cinemas (UK); Envoy
Media Partners (Mongolia and Vietnam) and Jiangsu Asia Film Co. (China)..
May 2000 to May 2002 Loews Cineplex Entertainment New York, NY
Now merged with AMC, Loews Cineplex Entertainment
was one of the world’s largest cinema exhibition
companies, and the third largest in North America. Its international division
was active in 7 overseas territories before the company was bought by Onex
Corporation in 2002, and restructured.
Senior Vice President Loews Cineplex International (LCI) May 2000 to May
2002
Reported to President LCI. Oversaw four direct USA-based reports (Directors
of Real Estate, Construction, Public Relations & Business Development) plus
local management in Austria, Hungary and Japan. Oversaw annual revenues of $65
million.
Liaised with partners in Korea, Turkey and Spain on business expansion and
general operational matters. Improved revenues in Korea and Spain by
implementing changes in refreshment sales policy.
Established businesses in Poland, Italy and Vietnam.
May 1995-May 2000 Village Cinemas International Singapore & London
Village Cinemas International (VCI) is a division of Village Roadshow Ltd.,
an Australian publicly traded company with interests in cinemas, film production
& distribution, radio and theme parks. It operated some 1500 cinema screens in
19 countries.
Regional Director, Europe (London) Jan 1997 - May 2000
Director of Development & Operations (Singapore) May 1995 - Jan 1997
Reported to CEO (VCI). Oversaw three direct reports in London (Directors of
Real Estate, Construction and Finance) plus territory managers and staff in
Germany & Austria, and Czech Republic.
Initially based in Singapore. Directed the operation and new business
development of Village’s cinema interests in the region, covering Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand, India and Taiwan. Was instrumental in setting up the first
western-style multiplex cinema in India with a local partner, and in
establishing a major sponsorship scheme in Singapore worth approx. $450,000
per annum.
When Village Cinemas closed its Singapore office in early 1997, relocated
to London and assumed responsibility for operations and developments in
Germany, Austria, Hungary (with local partners), as well as advising the UK
joint-venture, Warner-Village. Established VCI in the Czech Republic, acquired
3 cinema development locations, and recruited local managing director.
1986–1995 United Cinemas International London & Tokyo
United Cinemas International (UCI) - now merged
with Odeon Cinemas - was, at the time, the leading operator of multiplex
cinemas in the United Kingdom, as well as in several overseas territories
including Germany, Austria, Spain and Japan. It was owned jointly by major
Hollywood studios Paramount and Universal.
Director of Real Estate (London) 1986 - Sept. 1989
Managing Director (London & Manchester) Sept. 1989 - Sept. 1993
President UCI Japan (Tokyo) Sept. 1993 - May 1995
As President of UCI Japan and Managing Director of UCI UK & Ireland,
reported directly to the management committee comprised of Paramount &
Universal executives. At UCI UK oversaw numerous heads of department and had
full P & L responsibility for the circuit of then 247 screens.
Initially based in London, UK. Joined UCI at its inception as Director of
Real Estate, initiating or completing the acquisition of 26 major cinema
locations in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Promoted to Managing Director UK and Ireland in 1989. Continued to oversee
real estate matters. Served as President of the UK cinema trade association,
the CEA. Frequent speaker at real estate and cinema conferences.
Relocated to Japan in 1993 to establish UCI in that territory. Acquired the
first 2 locations in Otsu (Kyoto) and Kanazawa. The company has since
progressed to be a major cinema operator in Japan with 10 locations. Also
responsible for introducing UCI to the Shanghai-based "SMILE" consortium, of
which UCI now owns part, and has the management contract for its cinemas in
China. Travelled extensively throughout China.
1985-1986 The Gate Diner, Restaurant London
The Gate Diner was an American-style restaurant situated in London’ s
fashionable Notting Hill area. The location is still a restaurant, but now
trades under a different name.
With a partner, conceived, opened, owned and operated the "Gate Diner"
restaurant. The venture was partially funded by various celebrities and became
a well-known "trendy" venue in west London. Sold out to partner to join UCI in
1986.
1962 to 1985 THORN-EMI Cinemas London
THORN-EMI Cinemas started life as Associated British Cinemas, one of the
two leading cinema circuits in the UK. It was subsequently acquired by EMI
which, in turn, was taken over by the Thorn group. In 1985 the company was
sold to the Cannon group, and in recent years the remnants of the circuit were
merged with its old rival, Odeon Cinemas.
Finished a long career with this company and its predecessors as Theatre
Operations Executive, having started as a cinema management trainee. Won many
awards for good management, marketing and sales. Left prior to the company
being taken over by Cannon.
UK Citizen. Past "Crew" (committee) member of
the Variety Club children’s charity. Past Chairman of the UK Cinema Exhibitors’
Association.
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