Entertainment One has promoted Richard Rapkowski to the newly created position of senior VP, business and legal affairs for eOne Films North America.

In the new role, he will expand his scope to the U.S., and be responsible for the business and legal aspects of eOne’s distribution business, including acquisitions for the company’s theatrical releases in the U.S and Canada, and acquisitions for its film and TV foreign sales divisions.

He will also oversee day-to-day business and legal affairs for eOne’s home video distribution business and TV and digital sales operations, the company said in a statement revealing the news Thursday.

Rapkowski joined eOne in 2008 as VP of business and legal affairs for eOne Films Canada. He previously worked as VP of business and legal affairs at THINKFilm (of which eOne acquired Canadian assets back in 2008), and at Fireworks Entertainment as a lawyer in business and legal affairs.

Rapkowski, who will continue to report to eOne Films North America president David Reckziegel, takes the post effective immediately.