J. Timothy Richards
CEO - Vue Entertainment
In 1999, Tim was the co-founder of a start up cinema exhibition company formerly known as SBC International Cinemas ("SBC") that was engaged in the development of state-of-the-art multiplexes in the UK, Taiwan and Portugal. In May of 2003, Tim founded 'Vue Entertainment' with the acquisition of Warner Village's 36 state-of-the-art stadium seating multiplex cinemas, over 400 screens and a market leading position in London.
The Vue Entertainment cinema circuit now operates 62 state-of-the-art cinemas nationwide employing 3500 staff and attracting over 32 million customers a year. The circuit is unrivalled with over 95% of its auditoria having full stadium seating and full digital surround sound. Vue also has its flagship site, the Vue West End that was opened by HRH in 1938 for the premiere of the original Robin Hood and has been hosting Royal and charity movie premieres ever since.
Vue is widely recognised as the best run and most profitable cinema chain in the UK. Vue is also known worldwide for its industry leading technological advances and innovations ranging from the first live music concert (Genesis Live at 40 cinemas in July 2007), sporting events, live comedy and computer games to the UK's first digital 3D movie presentation in 2005. With the roll out of digital projection now starting, Vue is ideally placed to capitalize on the transformation and increasing revitalisation of the British cinema industry. Vue also opened Europe's first, and currently one of only three in the world, fully automated 10-screen digital multiplex cinema in Hull in December 2007.
Over the course of the past 18 years in cinema exhibition, Tim has developed extensive international development and operational cinema experience in over 14 major international markets in Europe, South America, Australia and the Far East. Before entering the entertainment industry, Tim was a Wall Street lawyer engaged in international finance and cross-border mergers and acquisitions while based in London and New York.
In recent years Vue has been awarded:
- Position 9 on the league table of Britain's 100 private equity backed mid-market companies with fastest growing profits. 2007. Awarded by The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100.
- Position 122 on the league table of Britain's biggest mid-market private companies 2007. Awarded by The Sunday Times Buyout Track 250.
- Position 158 on the league table of Britain's biggest mid-market private companies. 2006. Awarded by The Sunday Times Buyout Track 250.
- Position 161 on the league table of Britain's biggest mid-market private companies. 2005. Awarded by The Sunday Times Buyout Track 250.
- RAAM UK Cinema Exhibitor of the Year 2007
- RAAM UK Cinema Exhibitor of the Year 2008
Tim also has the following awards and affiliations:
- International Cinema Exhibitor of the Year 2006.
- The Leisure Reports – 2006 Individual of the year.
- Ernst & Young 2006 Consumer Products & Services Entrepreneur of the Year - London Region Winner.
- Ernst & young 2006 Consumer Products & Services Entrepreneur of the Year – Overall UK Winner.
- Ernst & Young 2006 UK Overall Entrepreneur of the Year.
- British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) – Voting Member
- British Screen Advisory Council (BSAC) – Council Member
- Cinema Exhibition Association (CEA) – Executive Director
- Film Business Academy at Cass Business School - Advisory Board Member
- Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) - Member
- UK Film Council: Digitising UK Cinemas - Working Group Member
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