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Palace Cinemas snares former Village Cinemas boss Kirk Senior

By Brendan Swift

Independent theatre chain Palace Cinemas has appointed former Village Cinemas chief executive Kirk Senior as a strategic and commercial advisor to its executive team.

Senior’s career at Village Roadshow spanned over 18 years and included several roles such as director of business affairs and finance director before his resignation earlier this year.

He has since accepted a number of board positions including the role of executive chairman at cinema management software company Vista Entertainment Solutions.

Senior said he had known Benjamin and Antonio Zeccola, who lead the Palace executive team, for many years.

“I am excited to now have the opportunity to assist them in developing and implementing that vision and enhancing the performance of Palace,” he said in a statement.

Palace has over 20 locations and 80 screens nationally, which represent approximately 5 per cent of the entire Australian market.

Palace executive director Benjamin Zeccola said the recent departure of long term chief financial officer Michael O’Connell gave the company the opportunity to reassess the business.

“Kirk has vast knowledge and experience from his time as CFO and then CEO of Village Cinemas. His strategic and business development skills will greatly benefit Palace Cinemas, as we position ourselves for the future," his statement said.

Palace has also promoted Eleanor Moffat to the position of CFO. She joined Palace in July as financial accounting and taxation manager after three years as a senior taxation manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers.