Delhi-based Cineplex major Satyam Cineplexes have announced the appointment of industry veteran Ian Riches as the vice-president – business development & projects. The announcement comes at a time when Satyam has been on an aggressive expansion mode with announcements of adding 40 screens to their kitty during 2010 and doubling the number in the next two years.
Riches boasts of a career of more than four decades in the Cinema Industry, earlier to his present assignment held senior positions with leading cinema chains across the globe. His earlier stints in the industry included serving as the president for UK cinema exhibitor’s association, along with various projects on the development and operational handling of around 25 multiplexes in Europe.
“Satyam Cineplex’s has always strived to provide the best in class entertainment to our customers. Keeping this in mind and also our plans to expand to metros and tier II cities in the country, we were very sure of getting on board an industry veteran for the purpose. Ian was a natural choice as what his career experience boasts of; very few in the world can match up to it in the cinema and multiplex business. What also worked as an added advantage is Ian’s prior experience with the south East Asian market in his stints with Warner Bro’s and Village Cinemas. Ian’s addition to the team shall help us in our expansion process to many more locations within the country apart from the excellence that we achieve due to operational expertise in the (cinema industry),” said Deven Chachra, MD, Satyam Cineplex.
Ian who has been actively sought by cinema chain developers across the globe has been actively involved with premier projects in the USA, UK, and South East Asia. He has held key senior positions at UCI in Japan, Village Cinemas, Warner Bros. for a project in China. He also has worked on projects representing various global cinema majors at Ireland, Philippines and Vietnam.
— IndiaRetailing Bureau
