Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: CFO

  1. Banijay Confirms Group Chief Financial Officer

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    Banijay today announces Sophie Kurinckx has been appointed Group Chief Financial Officer for the newly scaled-up business, overseeing all financial activity across the 22-territory combined footprint and its portfolio of 120+ production entities.

     

    Kurinckx joined Banijay back in 2010 as Head of Group Financial Control before taking up her current role in 2012. Since joining, she has led on the financial strategy and operations, and supported on all M&A activity. Integral to the successful completion of the organisation’s recent refinancing drive, and the subsequent acquisition of Endemol Shine Group, she will now be charged with aiding the integration of the department across the business’ 22-territory-strong global footprint.

     

    Prior to Banijay, Kurinckx was at JCDecaux as Deputy Head of Group consolidation and Group IFRS specialist, having started her in career in 2000 as an auditor for KPMG. In her current role as Group CFO, Kurinckx will continue to report to Banijay’s Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti.

     

    The appointment of Kurinckx ties in to Banijay’s efforts to merge the two businesses following the recent acquisition and subsequently triggers the departure of Ivan Nash Vila as Chief Financial Officer of Endemol Shine Group.

     

    Marco Bassetti comments: “Sophie is a much-admired member of the Banijay exec team. With us for over a decade, she has been at the forefront of our business’ growth and was a key driver in our refinancing efforts pre the recent acquisition. A firm leader, a financial connoisseur and a strategic visionary, she is well-equipped to prepare us for the future, while continuing to drive growth and innovation. I’d also like to thank Ivan for his partnership through the acquisition process and his expert management during the challenging times of Covid.”

     

    Sophie Kurinckx comments: “In the past ten years, Banijay has been on quite the journey, rapidly expanding its footprint, building a globally admirable catalogue and making a home for the best talent in the world. I am incredibly honoured to be part of this story and look forward to welcoming new faces and expertise to the team worldwide as we integrate the two businesses.”

  2. Banijay Rights Expands Leadership Team

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, today announces it has bolstered its leadership team, with Roisin Thomas remaining as COO and John Richards taking up the post of CFO. Both reporting to Chief Executive, Cathy Payne, who today starts her new role, the newly devised team will oversee all operational and financial matters for the growing division.

     

    Since 2015, Thomas has served as COO at the distribution business, having joined Zodiak Media back in 2011 pre its merger with Banijay Group, where she served as Chief of Staff to two successive Group CEOs. She started her career as a corporate media lawyer and spent over five years at leading media law firm Olswang, where she advised on a range of high profile corporate and commercial deals. She also fulfilled roles at EMI Music and Matheson after qualifying in Ireland in 2004.  Moving forwards, she will support Payne in developing and implementing Banijay Rights’ overarching business strategy.

     

    Richards joins the company from Endemol Shine International, where, since 2015, he was Chief Financial Officer and before that, Finance Director of Endemol Worldwide Distribution.  There, he was responsible for providing direction and leadership for the finance team and working with CEO, Cathy Payne, to help achieve growth. Having also served for four years as Finance Director of Tiger Aspect Productions and Darlow Smithson Productions, he led the merger of both companies into Endemol Group in 2009 following their sale by IMG. Before that, Richards spent over seven years with IMG having qualified at PWC in 2000.

     

    Cathy Payne says: “As the business sits on the cusp of major growth, it was important to have a strong team in place to manage us efficiently through the changes. In Roisin and John, we have the perfect mix of financial acumen, operational nous and extensive industry knowledge, making us well-prepared for the future. I look forward to getting started with the new team today.”

     

    Roisin Thomas says: “We have a busy road ahead and as the business approaches a significant phase of growth, John’s expertise is very much welcome. I look forward to partnering with him and Cathy to take Banijay Rights to the next level with the support of our wonderful team.”

     

    John Richards says: “Banijay Rights boasts a sterling reputation, multitude of content and has an exciting future ahead. It’s great to be re-joining Cathy there and I am pleased to working with Roisin to drive further growth for the business.”

     

    Cathy Payne now serves as CEO of Banijay Rights, with Tim Mutimer taking up the post of EVP, EMEA Sales & Acquisitions.

  3. Zodiak Belgium Bolsters Leadership Team

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    Zodiak Belgium, a Banijay Group company today confirms the appointment of Dirk Ver Hoeye, its new CFO. Starting on 1 October with new MD, Isabelle Dams, he will be tasked with overseeing all financial operations for the business.

     

    Ver Hoeye joins Zodiak Belgium following a 17-year stint at DEDSIT as CEO, where he was responsible for overseeing finance, legal, budget management and the leadership of the production team.

     

    This latest appointment further strengthens the new Zodiak Belgium leadership team, which sees Dams take her position as MD. Together, the pair, who report to Banijay Group COO, Peter Langenberg, will focus on building a diverse, high-quality slate of content with both local and global appeal.

     

    Isabelle Dams says on the appointment: “It’s great to have Dirk by my side in this new adventure. It’s fair to say content continues as king, and with this in mind, we’re both confident that there is a strong journey ahead for Zodiak Belgium. In our new roles, we’re committed to establishing a slate that builds on the company’s previous successes whilst bringing fresh, must-see, entertaining content down the line.”

     

    Dirk Ver Hoeye adds: “I’m looking forward to starting at Zodiak Belgium and working with the team to continue the brand’s success to date. My experience, with Isabelle’s, can hopefully help with the challenge of being able to further develop the business. TV production is team work and that’s what I love about this industry.”

     

    The pair join the business following a strong start to the fall season, with outstanding results recorded for its four daily shows. In their first outings this autumn, VTM’s scripted reality title, De Buurtpolitie, scored a 33% share, VTM’s soap opera, Familie, scooped a 31% share, Vier’s reality show, Huizenjagers, drew a 14% share and finally, RTBF gameshow, Les Associés, attracted an 11% share. The company is also poised for VTM’s fall launches of De Buurtpolitie: Het Circus, the third film in the Buurtpolitie film series, based on the smash hit structured reality series, and Andy op Patrouille, a new factual entertainment series.