Odeon Cinemas Group, Europe’s largest cinema exhibition company, has today announced the appointment of Ramón Biarnés as Managing Director for Spain and Portugal. Ramon will be responsible for the Group’s successful brands in the region – Cinesa is Spain’s largest and most popular cinema chain with 46 cinemas housing 521 screens, with the leading market share; and UCI is a popular brand in Portugal with 3 cinemas.

Ramón will join the team in August from Avis Budget Group, where he was Senior Vice President, Sales International Regional (EMEA & Asia Pacific) and a member of the Executive team. His experience has also included Commercial Director and Global Supplier Management Director for Carlson Wagonlit travel in Madrid, and senior international roles based around the world with Europcar, Spanair and Finnair.

Jan Bernhardsson, Chief Operating Officer of Odeon Cinemas Group, said “We’re delighted to welcome Ramón to our team at this exciting time for our Group and for Cinesa/UCI. We have very ambitious plans to invest heavily in our cinemas across Europe to create a fantastic experience for our guests, and Ramón is the perfect Managing Director to lead this transformation in the Iberian region. He is a highly experienced and talented executive who’s had a strong career delivering success in rent-a-car and airline businesses, with an intense focus on delivering great customer service and impressive results. He will be a terrific leader of our teams, and will help them build on all they have delivered over the recent years.”

Ramón Biarnés said “Cinesa has a fantastic reputation in Spain, and UCI in Portugal, and I look forward to leading this talented and passionate team to even greater heights. Under the ownership of Odeon Cinemas Group, which is now owned by AMC Theatres, the largest cinema exhibitor in the world, there are big plans to transform the cinema experience for guests.”