UPDATED 3.11am P.T., August 29: Christophe Riandee’s role won’t be replaced following his exit from the company, with CEO Sidonie Dumas assuming his responsibilities. Gaumont isn’t commenting further.
PREVIOUSLY 1.10am P.T., August 29: Christophe Riandee is leaving his post as Vice CEO of France’s Gaumont.
In a short statement released this morning, Gaumont said that he was exiting today after 20 years to “devote himself to his personal projects.”
“We wish him all the best for the future,” the statement added.
Riandee joined Gaumont in 2003 after spells in French animation and telecoms companies. He took on his Vice CEO post a year later and is credited with launching the producer’s international television division, which went on a strong run over coming years with credits include Hemlock Grove, Narcos, Lupin, F is for Family and Narcos: Mexico among others.
This led to the traditionally film-focused Gaumont morphing into a major TV producer and branching out in local production sectors such as in the UK, Italy and Germany. This year, Gaumont’s fashion house drama Becoming Karl Lagerfeld launched in Disney+, starring Daniel Brühl as the famous designer.
Nicolas Seydoux and Sidonie Dumas continue to run Gaumont as Chairman and CEO, respectively. The historic company launched in 1895 and now has a library of more than 1,500. Nicolas Atlan runs the company’s U.S. division.
We’ve reached out to Gaumont for more detail on Riandee’s exit.