Stewart Till, former president of Universal Pictures International (UPI), has joined the board of directors at fast-moving UK film-to-Internet operation Redbus Film Group (RFG).

Till, who also oversaw PolyGram Filmed Entertainment's (PFE's) international operation, will serve in a part-time but executive role. Before PFE, Till worked at CBS Fox Video and UK broadcaster Sky. He also currently serves as vice-chair on the government's newly-created film super body The Film Council.

Redbus, which is expected to launch an IPO by the summer, recently appointed the bulk of UPI's UK theatrical distribution staff under distribution chief Chris Bailey.

The company spans UK theatrical distribution and is also developing a video-on-demand service over the Internet, to be on-line in the last quarter of the financial year.

Redbus recently acquired a raft of titles from US companies such as Play It To The Bone from Buena Vista, and is also backing a slate of UK productions. The company recently closed an output deal with BBC Worldwide, the BBC's commercial arm.

Simon Franks, RFG chief executive, said: "I have been talking to Stewart for several weeks and my respect for his knowledge and what he was able to achieve at PolyGram increases daily. To have been able to attract Stewart to Redbus is both a massive endorsement of our business plan and the final cornerstone of our management structure."

Till commented: "I have had many solicitations over the past months, from companies involved in everything from dot.coms to telecoms to broadcast, as well as a couple of studios. I have not yet decided on which way I want to jump on a full-time basis but the opportunity that Simon offered me at Redbus was irresistible. I have the chance to make a real input to their strategy of combining technology with content and I'm looking forward to working with the board in overseeing its execution."