Began his career in the film industry in 1977 as a journalist with the trade paper Screen International. In 1984, he left journalism to run the UK`s National Film Development Fund, and act as consultant to parent body British Screen Finance.
In 1987, he oversaw UK development for Columbia Pictures during David Puttnam`s tenure at the studio, subsequently becoming head of development for Puttnam`s own production company, Enigma, where he worked on movies including MEMPHIS BELLE.
He made his debut as a producer in 1992 with the Emmy-winning TV film A DANGEROUS MAN: LAWRENCE AFTER ARABIA, starring Ralph Fiennes.
After co-producing Michael Radford`s B.MONKEY, Vaines supervised production and development for UK lottery franchise The Film Consortium from 1997 to 1999, overseeing movies including HIDEOUS KINKY, starring Kate Winslet.
He was appointed executive vice-president, development for New York-based Miramax Films in 1999. Most recently, he was co-executive producer of Martin Scorsese`s GANGS OF NEW YORK.
In October 2002, he took up his new appointment as executive vice-president, European production and development for Miramax, working out of the company`s London office.