BILL WALKER

Chief Executive Officer LANDMARK CINEMAS CANADA BIO: When Bill Walker joined Landmark Cinemas as Chief Operating Officer in 2014, the organization faced an incredible challenge. It had acquired a company three times its size, was highly leveraged, and lacked a strategic focus. Bill quickly set to work creating a vision, purpose and strategic plan to align the organization. He implemented a strategy, defining company values, initiatives, strategic imperatives, its mission and vision. He developed a communication strategy that connected the organization and provided a clear, unifying direction. Landmark is the number two operator in Canada and became fixated, across all levels of the organization on providing a better experience – competing and winning against its much larger competitor. He also brought in new talent to help deliver the new strategy and implemented several innovations centered on improving, and differentiating, the customer experience. Landmark was the first to introduce recliner seating to Canadian moviegoers, a change that has transformed movie going in Canada and made Landmark a destination for Movie Lovers. Landmark was also the first to introduce free reserved seating in most of its locations and was the first exhibitor in North America to launch the industry leading mobile ticketing platform, Atom Tickets. The result: Bill has led the organization to 35 per cent revenue growth and a more than 600 per cent increase in profitability. This success led to a sale of the organization in late 2017, at which point Bill was named Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian organization. Now owned by Kinepolis Group NV of Belgium, Bill and the team are continuing to grow through investment in experience upgrades and construction of new locations. Social responsibility continues to be a key focus. In the past three years, Landmark Cinemas has raised $300,000 in support of Kids Help Phone and provides an important media platform to reach youth in need.

THE BEST CAREER ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: Be willing to relocate. Do not let geography limit your potential or force you to turn down an opportunity. The resiliency, professionally and personally, that moving for your career can develop will serve you well throughout your life.

THE BEST CAREER DECISION I EVER MADE WAS: Relocating. I was presented opportunities well beyond my qualifications early in my career that fundamentally changed my path. My willingness to leave everything behind and focus on my career in a new environment is part of what has enabled my success.