Auckland, New Zealand, Friday 9 December - Vista Group International Limited (NZX & ASX:VGL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stuart Dickinson as Vista Group’s new Chief Executive Officer with effect from Tuesday 11 April, 2023. Dickinson will succeed the role from Kimbal Riley, who is retiring after five years as Chief Executive Officer and nearly a decade at Vista Group overall.

Dickinson joins Vista Group as an accomplished leader with more than 25 years’ experience in the technology sector, most recently as New Zealand Country Manager of NYSE listed DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC). Dickinson has led significant transformation programmes in systems integration both in New Zealand and internationally.

Susan Peterson, Vista Group’s Chair, said: “As Vista Group continues to focus on accelerating our platform strategy, we’re delighted to appoint someone of Stuart’s calibre to lead the company through this next phase. Stuart’s appointment follows a rigorous global recruitment process where we considered several exceptional candidates.

“Stuart is a purpose driven and human centred leader who has a proven history of growing great teams. Supporting our clients to be more successful and nurturing Vista Group’s unique and special culture with his experience and passion will be invaluable as we continue to accelerate our vision.”

Dickinson commented: “I am excited to assume the role as Vista Group’s CEO and the opportunity to lead a talented global team. Vista Group is an extraordinary New Zealand business that has made its mark on the global stage. I look forward to being part of the next phase of growth as we continue to deliver on our purpose of creating the platform that connects the industry and powers the moviegoer experience.”

Riley joined Vista Group in 2013 as Chief Operating Officer, before becoming Vista Cinema Chief Executive in 2015, and then assuming the Group CEO role in 2018.

“We want to acknowledge Kimbal’s huge contribution to Vista Group during his tenure as Group CEO, particularly his response to the challenges that the pandemic presented the film industry, and driving Vista Group’s strategically important platform future,” says Susan Peterson. “Kimbal will be greatly missed by the whole team, and we wish him all the very best in his retirement.”

Riley said: “It has been a privilege, and the highlight of my career, to lead Vista Group for the last five years and to work with so many talented people across our businesses globally. I’m confident that I leave the company in great heart, and with a strong team and a terrific future in Stuart’s capable hands. I am very much looking forward to working with Stuart, introducing him to Vista Group’s incredible team and clients, and ensuring a smooth leadership transition.”

About Stuart Dickinson‍

Stuart is currently the New Zealand Country Manager for NYSE listed DXC Technology, leading the New Zealand team of 600 and General Manager with responsibility for key business application practices across the APAC region with global technology businesses including SAP, Microsoft, ServiceNow and  Salesforce. DXC Technology is NYSE listed with a US$6.8B market capitalisation, and assists global companies to run their information technology systems and operations, optimize their IT suites and data architectures, and ensure security and scalability utilising various cloud offerings.

Stuart has over 25 years’ experience in the systems and solutions integration area, initially with Sky City for the design and implementation of Sky Tower’s application and interactive technology, then with Carter Holt Harvey’s incorporation of Oxygen, an SAP integrations as a service business, in 2001 before it was acquired by ASX listed, UXC, in 2006. Stuart joined UXC and progressed through a number of leadership positions across Australia and New Zealand, including in the areas of marketing and communications, people and brands, and consulting solutions. UXC was acquired by DXC Technology (formerly CSC) in 2015. Stuart holds a Master of Business Administration, from the University of Auckland.

About Vista Group International

‍Vista Group International Ltd (Vista Group) was founded in New Zealand in 1996 and listed on both the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges in 2014 (NZX & ASX: VGL). Vista Group provides software, data and technology solutions across the global film industry. Vista Entertainment Solutions, the original business of Vista Group, provides cinema management software and digital solutions for large cinema circuits, including Vista Cloud, and, with Veezi, also for independent cinemas. Movio (authority in moviegoer data analytics), Maccs (film distribution software), Numero (box office reporting software for film distributors and cinemas), Powster (creative studio and marketing platform for movie studios) and Flicks (moviegoer ‘go to’ app and platform for movie and streaming information) provide an innovative range of complementary products across additional film industry sectors, from production and distribution, to cinema exhibition, through to the experience of the moviegoer. Vista Group has offices located in New Zealand (Auckland HQ), Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Sydney, Cape Town, Amsterdam, Groningen, Timișoara, Shanghai, Beijing, and Kuala Lumpur.