MUMBAI: Cineflix Rights CEO Chris Bonney is set to step down from the company next year, after eight years in the role.
Bonney, who joined Cineflix Media’s sales and acquisitions arm in 2012, will retire mid-2021 following an extended period of transition when the London-based distributor will appoint a successor.
Prior to this he was at Warner Bros International Television Production as SVP sales & acquisitions. He has also served stints as MD of Outright Distribution and a board member at UK-based Shed Media.
Under his leadership, the company has grown into one of the UK’s largest indie TV content sales firms with a catalogue of more than 5,000 hours of scripted and factual content.
During his tenure at Cineflix Rights, Bonney increased the company’s third-party slate to almost 50 per cent of its overall portfolio, developed financing models to help partners including Cineflix Productions.
Cineflix Media co-founders and co-CEOs Glen Salzman and Katherine Buck said: “Over the last eight years, Chris has played a pivotal role in positioning Cineflix Media as a global content powerhouse. Under his skilful leadership, he has assembled a phenomenal team at Cineflix Rights and has drawn up a solid blueprint for enduring momentum and success.
“Chris is very well-respected by his colleagues and peers alike, and we’re sad that he will be stepping down. However, we are grateful that he will continue to drive the company forward while we recruit his successor. And of course, Chris will always remain part of the Cineflix family.”
Bonney added, “Cineflix Rights is now well placed as a distributor with a highly successful scripted business alongside its longstanding factual operations. After 35 years in the industry, it feels like the right time for me to make a move to a new phase in life, and for a new hand to take the company to its next stage.”
“I’ve really enjoyed working with such a talented and friendly team over the past eight years, as well as the many incredibly creative producers and broadcasters I’ve had the opportunity to deal with during my time here. I’d also like to thank Glen and Katherine for all their support over the years. As I’ll be around for a while yet, it’s more The Long Goodbye than Short Cuts before I head off to the golf course and experience parts of the world I’ve always wanted to visit.”
