Oliver trained as an actor at the Drama Centre and began working as an usher at Screen on the Hill in 1999. He worked for Riverside Studios and Everyman before leaving London for six years to run a retreat in Devon for Arvon, the creative writing charity. He became the Executive Director of the Rio in 2015, which had been struggling financial for some years and was on the verge of permanent closure in 2013. In 2018 the Rio added a second screen funded entirely by Oliver’s RIOgeneration campaign, raising £125,000 including a £40,000 contribution from the Mayor of London. 

 

In 2019 the Rio won two prestigious Screen awards for Best UK Cinema (25 sites and under) and Best UK Marketing Campaign. The Rio was named as a Lodestar by Film London in 2020 for its outstanding contribution to the capital’s film landscape. 

 

Oliver has lectured on cinema fundraising for Europa cinemas at Sofia film festival. CICAE at Venice film festival and Crowdfund London at City Hall. He’s acted as a consultant for the Science Museum, VICE, BAFTA and most recently the Lexi Cinema.  He is a Mentor for the BFI Film Audience Network's Advice & Experience Scheme.