International Cinema Consultants

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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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