EXCLUSIVE: UK exhibition chain Picturehouse Cinemas has refreshed its senior leadership team, with business development, services and marketing appointments.
Jon Barrenechea has been appointed business development director, focusing on customer experience at Picturehouse Cinemas.
Barrenechea worked at Mubi from 2018 to 2025, latterly as global VP distribution. Before that, he worked at Picturehouse for 14 years in various roles, including head of marketing and projects. He will continue to lead the Picturehouse Create event at Picturehouse Central in April.
Sam Clements has been promoted to director of marketing, taking over from Sara Frain who was promoted to managing director of Picturehouse Entertainment in November. Clements has worked at Picturehouse since 2011, first as marketing manager then head of marketing, and will continue running the Picturehouse Recommends magazine and in-house Love of Cinema podcast.
Alastair Oatey returns to Picturehouse as business services director, with a remit across the exhibition business including membership. He previously worked at the firm for 18 years from 1998 to 2015 as director of operations, and has since worked as business director at Wesley House College in Cambridge.
All of the new appointments will report to Lyn Goleby, chair and co-founder of Picturehouse Cinemas, who rejoined the organisation in 2024, and will work closely with creative director Clare Binns.
“We’ve had a successful 2025, and the evolution of our team is going to keep us flying in 2026,” said Goleby. “The restructure of Picturehouse Entertainment has put that company on a whole new trajectory for growth. The addition of Jon and Alastair, along with Sam Clements now leading as director of marketing for Picturehouse Cinemas, means I am confident we’re cooking with gas!”
Barrenechea said he is “thrilled to be back at Picturehouse in a new role”, while Clements said he “looks forward to sharing my passion for the big-screen experience to champion the power of neighbourhood cinema and reach audiences all across the country.”
Picturehouse Cinemas operates 25 venues across the UK, including 11 in London.
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