Universal Pictures International Entertainment names new MD for Australia, NZ

London - Universal Pictures International Entertainment has promoted Jim Batchelor to Managing Director, Universal Pictures Australia and New Zealand, reporting directly to President of UPIE, Eddie Cunningham.

Batchelor has been the Sales Director for Universal Pictures UK since 2008.

Eddie Cunningham, President of UPIE said, “Jim has been integral to the recent successes of Universal Pictures UK over the past two years. I am delighted that Jim will be leading our team in Australia. I am confident that he will maintain his excellent track record of delivering strong sales and market share performance.”

Prior to joining Universal, Batchelor spent most of his career in retail where he held a number of senior roles in BHS and Virgin Retail, culminating in Director of Commercial for Woolworths.

Batchelor will relocate to Sydney, Australia in February and replaces Liz Van Hooven who decided not to return after a second maternity leave.