Odeon Cinemas Group, Europe’s largest cinema operator, today announced the appointment of Gary Suter as Group Chief Operations Officer and SVP M&A and International Development, AMC, as Jan Bernhardsson leaves the Group to pursue other interests.

Mark Way, MD Odeon Cinemas Group and President AMC Europe said: “On behalf of us all, I’d like to thank Jan for his contribution to our Group and to the cinema industry for the last 20 years, and we wish him the very best for the future. As our COO he has added great value to our strategy, and before that was the highly respected President and CEO of Nordic Cinemas Group for 4 years, during which time he was awarded International Exhibitor of the Year. As CEO of SF Bio (now called Filmstaden), he built a Swedish business that has become one of the most successful and progressive cinema chains in the world. Having helped to establish our Group as Europe’s largest cinema operator following two years of successful integration into the AMC family, and the development and initial implementation of our growth strategy – Jan has decided this is the right time to leave to pursue other opportunities.”

Gary Suter is appointed Odeon Cinemas Group Chief Operations Officer, and SVP M&A and International Development, AMC with immediate effect, and will move to live and work in Europe.

Mark Way continued: “As Senior Vice President M & A and international development for AMC, Gary Suter has become well known to everyone in the Group, and has been fundamental to the creation of our Group as Europe’s leading cinema operator. He has been heavily involved in the crafting of our exciting international strategy and culture, and led a number of our strategic projects.

“With 33 years’ experience at AMC in a range of operations, procurement and strategic roles in the US and internationally, including over a decade leading development of AMC’s food & beverage offer, Gary is one of the longest serving, most experienced cinema operators in the world. As our COO, he will bring us great wisdom and international experience, and accelerate our ability to deliver and execute our strategy across Europe.

“His appointment reflects the ongoing evolution of our Group as we extend and deepen our executive leadership team and we are very excited to welcome him even closer into our team.”