Crispin Lilly, the former chief executive of boutique cinema chain Everyman Media Group, has joined high street regeneration developer Really Local Group as business development director.
Lilly has nearly 30 years’ experience in the UK cinema sector. During his six years leading Everyman, Crispin oversaw the exponential growth of the company, which grew from 10 to 35 sites throughout his tenure.
Prior to this, he worked for more than 20 years as vice president for business affairs at Cineworld, looking after all aspects of commercial revenues including both the film and retail elements of the business. He was also part of the launch team for subscription cinema scheme Unlimited, and overseeing the integration of Picturehouse Cinemas in 2012.
For the past five years Lilly has been a trustee of Medicinema, a charity that builds and runs cinemas in NHS hospitals. He became interim chief executive of the charity last year.
Preston Benson, founder of Really Local Group, said: “2022 is the breakout year for our business, which is entering into a period of significant growth. He is a very important addition to the team and his appointment signals a very exciting time for the company.”
Lilly said: “I have long believed the cinema should be more than just ‘seeing a film’, and the Really Local Group’s revolutionary venues and inspired workforce manage this in a refreshing and accessible way.
“With a clear focus on putting smaller, flexible venues back into truly local locations, regenerating both the property and the places they are in is timely, and the opportunity for growth is vast.”
Really Local Group’s projects include Catford Mews in South East London and the Reading Biscuit Factory. It has eight other developments and new acquisitions in the pipeline.
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