Board And Management

The Board

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  SUSAN PETERSON

  INDEPENDENT CHAIR

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  SUSAN PETERSON

  INDEPENDENT CHAIR
  BCom and LLB (University of Otago)

  Susan is an experienced business leader with a particular interest in helping companies to drive growth through technology, innovation and organisational culture.

  Susan has a wealth of corporate governance experience. In addition to her position as Independent Chair of Vista Group, Susan is also an Independent Director of Xero, Arvida Group, Property for Industry and Craigs Investment Partners, and was previously an Independent Director of Trustpower and ASB Bank.

  Susan is a member of the New Zealand Markets Disciplinary Tribunal and is a Board member of non-profit Global Women (NZ). Susan was a finalist in the 2014 Westpac New Zealand Women of Influence Awards.

  
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  Cris Nicolli

  INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

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  Cris Nicolli

  INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
  Bachelor of Management Studies, Business, Marketing, Accounting (University of Waikato)

  Cris was appointed as a non-executive director of Vista Group in February 2017. Cris brings strong expertise in the IT Industry, together with experience in growing and building multi-faceted IT-based businesses including a publicly listed ASX Company. He has a great balance of commercial and governance skills.

  Cris started his professional life in Finance and Accounting with roles in New Zealand and the UK. He subsequently moved into the IT industry and has had a significant career across the Asia Pacific region in sales, sales management, consulting, software and leadership roles including 12 years with previously ASX-listed UXC Limited – five of those years as CEO and Managing Director. Prior to UXC, Cris held senior roles with Digital/Compaq for 20 years. Having recently retired from UXC Limited, Cris is looking to provide his business skills in a non-executive capacity.

  Cris is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) and a past member of the New Zealand Society of Accountants. He is a New Zealander who has been living in Australia for the last 30 years.

  
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  Murray Holdaway

  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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  Murray Holdaway

  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
  BSc, Mathematics and Computer Science and BCom, Accounting, (University of Auckland)

  Murray is the co-founder and product visionary of Vista Entertainment Solutions and Chief Product Officer of the Vista Group of companies. Prior to Vista, he was a founder of Madison Systems Ltd, a joint venture partner in Vista when it was formed in 1996. Murray has been dedicated full-time to Vista since Madison was sold in 2001. He has over 20 years’ experience in building innovative software for the film industry, and sits on the Vista Group board.

  
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  CLAUDIA BATTEN

  INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

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  CLAUDIA BATTEN

  INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
  LLB (Hons), BCom (Victoria University of Wellington)

  Since Claudia graduated Victoria University of Wellington with degrees in Law (Hons) and Commerce, she has been a founding member of two highly successful entrepreneurial ventures. As part of the founding team of Massive Incorporated, she helped pioneer “digital” as a media buy. Massive was sold to Microsoft in 2006, where Claudia then spent three years scaling the in-game network. In 2009, Claudia co-founded Victors & Spoils, the first advertising agency built on the principles of crowdsourcing. After two years in-market, Victors & Spoils was acquired by French holding company Havas Worldwide. Claudia most recently spent three years running North American operations for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).

  In addition to being an Independent Director of Vista Group, Claudia is the Chair of NZX and ASX listed digital travel company Serko and a digital advisor to the Board of Westpac New Zealand.

  
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  Kirk Senior

  NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

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  Kirk Senior

  NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
  BBus (Swinburne)

  Kirk brings a strong international film industry background acquired from 18 years with the Village Roadshow Limited Group. Kirk was formerly CEO (and prior to that, CFO) of Village Cinemas, one of the world’s leading cinema companies. Kirk was also a director of Village Cinemas and many of its subsidiaries and joint ventures throughout the world. Prior to Village Cinemas, Kirk was a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young in Australia and the UK. Kirk also advises and provides consulting services to other companies in the film and entertainment industries.

  
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  JAMES MILLER

  INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

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  JAMES MILLER

  INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
  BCom (Otago University), FCA, graduate of The Advanced Management Program (Harvard Business School, USA)

  James Miller is an experienced commercial director and is regarded as one of the country's most experienced Audit and Risk Committee Chairs. James is currently Chair of NZX and is the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committees for each of Vista Group, Mercury and Channel Infrastructure. James has previously held Board positions with Auckland International Airport, the Financial Markets Authority and Accident Compensation Corporation. He has been the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for Auckland International Airport and was Chair of the Investment Committee for Accident Compensation Corporation.

  James is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand, a Certified Securities Analyst Professional, an accredited Director of the Institute of Directors New Zealand, a Fellow of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

  

Vista Group Management

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  Kimbal Riley

  Group, Chief Executive

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  Kimbal Riley

  Group, Chief Executive

  Kimbal was appointed Group CEO in April 2018 following his July 2015 appointment to the role of Chief Executive of Vista Entertainment Solutions. Kimbal first joined Vista as Chief Operating Officer in November 2013. Formerly, he was COO of Orion Health, New Zealand’s largest software exporter and one of the world’s leading Health IT companies with operations on every continent and customers in over 50 countries. Kimbal was with Orion Health for seven years, during which period the company grew from 120 people to over 700, turnover increased from $20m to in excess of $100m, and offices were established in the USA, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, UK, Singapore, Japan, Dubai, and Thailand. Prior to his tenure at Orion Health Kimbal undertook senior sales and delivery roles in global software and services organisations including CSC, Compaq, EDS, and Nortel.

  
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  Kelvin Preston

  GENERAL COUNSEL & COMPANY SECRETARY

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  Kelvin Preston

  GENERAL COUNSEL & COMPANY SECRETARY

  Kelvin leads Vista’s legal team, providing legal support to all of Vista Group’s businesses globally. Prior to joining Vista Group, Kelvin worked in private practice for over 12 years advising listed issuers, private businesses and private equity sponsors on corporate and commercial matters as well as a wide range of significant corporate transactions, including public and private acquisitions and divestments, takeovers, and corporate structuring.

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  Matt Cawte

  Chief Financial Officer

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  Matt Cawte

  Chief Financial Officer

  Matt leads Vista’s group finance team, providing finance support and commercial guidance to the Vista ecosystem. Prior to joining Vista, Matt headed the sales, marketing and finance functions at Biomatters, a bioinformatics SaaS and subscription business, including its successful sale to the US software investor Insight Partners. Prior to that he spent five years as General Manager for Ixom NZ (formerly Orica), NZ’s largest chemicals business. Matt has a strong background in innovative and high growth technology companies; he was CFO for Wellington Drive Technologies and has held commercial, finance and technology leadership roles in Lion Nathan, Mediasoup, Sony Playstation Europe and Oracle Europe.

  
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  HOLLY JONES

  HEAD OF MARKETING

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  HOLLY JONES

  HEAD OF MARKETING

  Holly is the Head of Marketing for Vista Group, Vista Entertainment Solutions, and Movio. She leads the global marketing and brand strategy as well as leading the marketing and design team. Holly joined Movio in 2016 and became Head of Marketing for Movio in 2018. Previously she held various marketing positions at Thomson Reuters in both London and New York.
  
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  JASON MADSEN

  COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

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  JASON MADSEN

  COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

  Jason heads up the Commercial function within Vista and is responsible for providing innovative commercial solutions for the Group. Prior to joining Vista Group in 2018, Jason held senior commercial roles in New Zealand with Spark and Vodafone. Jason also spent 10 years in Europe working in the media and telecoms sectors with companies such as Orange and FremantleMedia.
  
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  ANNA FERGUSON

  CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

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  ANNA FERGUSON

  CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

  Anna leads Vista Group’s people and culture team, providing support to all of the group’s businesses globally. Prior to joining Vista Group, Anna held a group executive role responsible for people and culture at Kordia. Previously Anna was based in Australia, working for professional services firms including Bain & Company and Baker & McKenzie in senior HR roles.
  
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  Matthew Liebmann

  Chief Innovation and Data Officer, Movio
  Auckland, NZ

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  Matthew Liebmann

  Chief Innovation and Data Officer, Movio
  Auckland, NZ

  Matthew joined Movio in 2014 in LA to expand Movio’s presence in the Americas. He relocated to Auckland in 2019 to become Chief Operating Officer, accountable for Movio’s operational performance and profitability. Prior to joining Movio, Matthew held senior positions at leading cinema exhibitors in Australia and New Zealand, was a consultant to the entertainment and media sector for PwC, and served two terms on the Board of Screen Australia.
  
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Group Companies Leadership

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  Leon Newnham

  CHIEF EXECUTIVE, VISTA ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTIONS
  LOS ANGELES, USA

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  Leon Newnham

  CHIEF EXECUTIVE, VISTA ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTIONS
  LOS ANGELES, USA

  Leon is the Chief Executive of Vista Entertainment Solutions. He joined the company in 2009 to assist in establishing the Vista USA Office. In subsequent years, Leon worked with the team to grow the US market share to 37% of the Large Cinema market including building a team of more than 60. During this time Leon held senior roles in both Operations and Sales, driving product localization and building industry partnerships. Leon became President, Vista Entertainment Solutions USA in 2016 and in May 2018 was appointed to his current global role leading Vista’s largest business.
  
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  Simon Burton

  CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NUMERO AND MACCS
  LOS ANGELES, USA

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  Simon Burton

  CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NUMERO AND MACCS
  LOS ANGELES, USA

  Simon is the Chief Executive of Numero and MACCS. Prior to co-founding Numero, Simon held various International management roles with global organisations specialising in media channels measurement and analytical services. Specifically, Simon has more than 20 years’ experience in the entertainment industry managing theatrical box office tracking services. Specialising in International business development, Simon has launched multiple services throughout the Asia Pacific region as well as co-ordinating numerous collaborations and acquisitions to deliver to clients increased global coverage of daily box office results.
  
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  Ste Thompson

  CEO/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, POWSTER
  LOS ANGELES, USA

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  Ste Thompson

  CEO/CREATIVE DIRECTOR, POWSTER
  LOS ANGELES, USA

  Ste is the Chief Executive and founder of POWSTER, a provider of creative services to over 50 film distributors in over 40 countries, and music videos and interactive content to the major music labels. Ste has led the POWSTER creative vision since its foundation in 2009, winning many prestigious awards. Ste’s primary skill is product development and innovation. Prior to POWSTER, he developed creative content for the music and brand industry and studied multimedia, computer game design, and digital media.
  
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  Sarah Lewthwaite

  Chief Executive, Movio
  London, UK

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  Sarah Lewthwaite

  Chief Client Officer, Movio
  London, UK

  Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the cinema industry, joining Movio in 2014 to oversee the company's growth in the EMEA region. In her current position as Chief Client Officer, Sarah is accountable for Movio's revenue and the company's cinema, film studio and film distributor partnerships, globally. She also sits on the board of the Event Cinema Association and is a Director for the Cinema Technology Community CIC.
  
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