Mersey Hollywood executive and Liverpool FC bidder Stuart Ford sells stake in film business

A LIVERPOOL-BORN movie executive who was linked with a bid to take over Liverpool FC has sold a majority stake in his business to an Indian group.

Stuart Ford, a former co-head of Miramax International, founded film sales and distribution business IM Global in 2007 and saw it become one of the biggest players in the industry.

Now Mr Ford, 40, who fronted a 2004 bid to take over Liverpool, has sold “an undisclosed majority shareholding” in IM to Reliance Big Entertainment.

IM last year distributed films including supernatural blockbuster Paranormal Activity and Tom Ford’s A Single Man. Films now in post-production include Will Ferrell “dramedy” Everything Must Go and John Cusack thriller The Factory.

In February, IM formed a sales alliance with Reliance to handle the Indian company’s Hindi film output internationally. It called the deal “a groundbreaking arrangement in terms of a mainstream Hollywood player distributing Bollywood cinema”.

That agreement led to the new deal between the companies. Mr Ford’s holding company, Ancramdale, will retain a significant equity stake in the business, while LA-based Mr Ford will stay as chief executive.

He said: “After a phenomenal first three years, the company is ready to move onto the next stage of its strategic growth. I simply could not wish for a more dynamic partner to help nurture that progression.

“We’re also looking forward to helping Reliance extend its presence in Hollywood and the worldwide film community.”
Oxford-educated Ford, a former England Schools footballer, spent six years at entertainment law firm Olswangs before joining Miramax, run by movie moguls Harvey and Bob Weinstein.

As co-head of Miramax Acquisitions, he was responsible for buying foreign-language and international films for distribution in the US and internationally. He bought hits including Amelie, City of God and Fahrenheit 911.

At just 32, he became co-head of Miramax International, a promotion which saw him named by Hollywood Reporter as one of Hollywood’s top executives under the age of 40.

In 2006, he became president of the First Look International division of First Look Studios, before founding IM the following year.

In 2004, Mr Ford and Woolton-born entrepreneur Mike Jefferies pulled together a consortium, including the wealthy Kraft family, that tried to take over Liverpool FC.