Vista Group appoints Sarah Lewthwaite as chief executive

Sarah Lewthwaite has been promoted to Movio chief executive, the group's data-driven movie marketing company.

The appointment as CEO will see Lewthwaite leading the business globally, working closely with the rest of the Vista Group executive team to drive the business forward. She will be based in London.

"Having devoted my career to the cinema industry, including as a Movio client, I couldn't be more thrilled to be leading this forward-thinking company," Lewthwaite says.

"We have an ambitious strategy that goes to the heart of our clients' needs, and I look forward to steering us through the next exciting chapter."

Current Movio chief operating officer Matthew Liebmann will move into the newly-created role of chief innovation and data officer, based in Auckland.

Vista Group CEO, Kimbal Riley, says the appointment underlines the strategic importance of data to the Group's success.

"We have always understood there is real potential for the Group in innovating across our businesses using the data which passes through our software, and Matthew's appointment is aimed at realising that potential," Riley says.

"Matthew's new role is designed to bring together our overall Group Data and Product strategies and enable us to turn that data into valuable business insights for our clients."

Liebmann says his vision is to leverage all parts of Vista Group: Vista Entertainment, Movio, Numero, Maccs and Flicks, to deliver genuinely beneficial innovations across its full range of solutions.

"With so many competing options for our leisure time, it's more important than ever that our industry is operationally excellent whilst delivering outstanding entertainment experiences," Liebmann says.

"Technology and data are foundational to empowering cinema teams and delighting moviegoers, and I'm excited to use my background in cinema operations and guest engagement to help capitalise on what we think will be the next golden era of cinema."

Both executives will report to Kimbal Riley, who says their appointments are a natural progression.

"Both Sarah and Matthew are hugely respected across Vista Group and the cinema and film industry," Riley says.

"I am confident that under Sarah's leadership, Movio will respond to the resurgence in the cinema industry and continue to deliver strong results going forward.

"I am also certain that Matthew will successfully deliver on the huge potential for innovation and data across our business."