UK distributor Momentum Pictures is to restructure its home entertainment division, with director of retail video Conrad Withey leaving the company this month to set up his own production company and rights business.

Peter Dutton, head of Momentum's rental video division for the past three years, is promoted to the newly created position of director of home entertainment with overall responsibility for both the rental and retail divisions.

Withey, who joined Momentum in 2000 from Universal, is to launch the privately backed The Rights Company, specialising in the development of branded entertainment primarily for the home video market, as well representing rights on behalf of other independent producers.

'The aim is to create a dynamic media company with the potential to grow into one of the UK's leading independents," said Withey. "We will produce original programming in-house and manage the exploitation of quality branded entertainment for third parties, not just on video but across all revenue streams.'