Indpendent cinema chain owner and operator, Curzon Leisure Group, has appointed Ian Riches as chief executive officer to lead a major expansion programme.

The company was acquired as a single business in 2001 by property entrepreneur, KC Suri, and now consists of six UK locations.

Suri, chair of Curzon, now plans to add a five-screen complex in Crewe next year and a further three sites in 2006.

He also intends to refurbish the Curzon Loughborough – adding a café-bar and upgrading its six screens – next year.

Riches – a former managing director of UCI UK and Ireland and most recently a consultant through his own company, CinemaWorks – said Curzon’s philosophy was to target market towns which are considered too small by the larger operators.

“Ian has worked with us for some time as a consultant and we are delighted that he has joined us as CEO,” said Suri.

“His wealth of experience in operating cinema chains and opening new sites will be invaluable in the growth and development of our business.”

The company is advised by Dawnay Day Corporate Finance and property consultant Chris Morgan-Giles.