Tim Keen has beenappointed as the new CEO of Becker Group Limited, the film exhibition,distribution, production and sales company.

In an unrelated move, thehead of sales company Becker Films International, Reiko Bradley, will soonrelocate from Sydney to Los Angeles. Bradley is a shareholderand made the reverse move when she helped set up the company nearly three yearsago but now says it is not possible to expand from a base in Australia.

Keen joined the company asfinance director in 1995 and was appointed chief operating officer in 2000.

His takes over July 1 fromRichard Becker, who has been in charge for 21 years and will stay on as adirector of the company.

Becker had recently beenworking as a hands-on producer on director Rod Hardy's December Boys.The coming-of-age drama stars HarryPotter's Daniel Radcliffe as well as JackThompson.

International sales rightsfor the film, excluding German language territories, were sold to Village Roadshow just before shooting began in November. Roadshow will get a slice of the local release alongsidethe mainstream releasing arm, Becker Distribution.

Keen told ScreenDaily.com that film productionwould remain a small part of the overall company, which also owns outsidebroadcasting equipment, an outdoor cinema business, and television productionand distribution interests.

"Mr Keen has been anintegral part of the company's growth and there are unmistakable advantages ofpromoting from within given the complexities and the specialised nature of the entertainmentbusiness," Becker Group chairman Greg Gardiner said in a statement.

Richard Becker's fatherfounded the company in 1965 and he joined in 1977. He says he will focus on his"passionate pursuits of film production and viticulture".