UGCCinemas UK and Ireland managing director Margaret Taylor has left the company,just weeks after the exhibitor was taken over by US buyout firm the BlackstoneGroup.

Taylorwas in charge of the 42 UGC cinemas in the UK and Ireland. During her tenure,she was responsible for introducing the company's cinema loyalty card, theUnlimited Pass, and for the Euros 13m upgrade of the UGC Dublin site,one of the most important sites in the UGC circuit.

An exhibition industry veteran, Taylor worked for thecircuit when it was owned by Virgin Cinemas and stayed on when it was takenover by UGC Cinemas. Her departure was confirmed by a UGC spokesperson, who explainedthat Taylor had left of her own accord. Taylor was unavailable for comment.

Blackstone Group acquired the UGC UK and Ireland cinemacircuit on Dec 1 for a reported price tag of around £200m. In October,Blackstone also acquired British cinema chain Cine UK (Cineworld).