MUMBAI: Satyam Cineplexes plans to add 40 screens in 2010 across eight locations and doubling the number in the next two years.

At present the company has 17 screens across India with four multiplexes in Delhi and Indore.

The company has also appointed Ian Riches as vice president – business development and projects.

Riches has been in the cinema industry for more than four decades. His earlier stints in the industry included serving as the president for UK Cinema Exhibitor’s Association, along with various projects on the development and operational handling of around 25 multiplexes in Europe.

"Satyam Cineplex’s has always strived to provide the best in class entertainment to our customers. Keeping this in mind and also our plans to expand to metros and tier II cities in the country, we were very sure of getting on board an industry veteran for the purpose. Ian was a natural choice as what his career experience boasts of; very few in the world can match up to it in the cinema and multiplex business. What also worked as an added advantage is Ian’s prior experience with the south East Asian market in his stints with Warner Bros and Village Cinemas. Ian’s addition to the team shall help us in our expansion process to many more locations within the country," said Satyam Cineplexes managing director Deven Chachra.