Crozier joins cinema chain

THE ex-boss of ITV has been appointed chairman of Vue International as the cinema operator gears up for a stock market float.

Adam Crozier has joined the firm ahead of its rumoured £1.7bn listing.

Vue said Crozier will bring an ‘unrivalled breadth of experience’ to its board, having transformed ITV during his sevenyear tenure as chief executive of the firm.

Crozier, 53, is credited for steering ITV through the recession and reducing the broadcaster’s reliance on advertising by building up its production arm.

Under his tenure it made runaway hits like Broadchurch and Vera.

The Vue appointment is Crozier’s second promotion since leaving ITV.

In May Costa-owner Whitbread announced he would be replacing Sir Ian Cheshire as senior independent director on its board later this month.

His appointment as chairman of Vue also comes amid rumours the firm is considering a market flotation next year. It is understood accounting firm PWC has been hired to advise on the potential listing.

Vue is owned by two of Canada’s largest pension funds – Omers Private Equity and Alberta Investment Management – which acquired the group from UK-based private equity investor Doughty Hanson for £935m in 2013.

Tim Richards, founder and chief executive of Vue said: ‘Adam is one of the most highly respected professionals in the UK with extensive experience across multiple industries.’