Mediawan Group, the independent European studio, has announced the relocation of its distribution leadership to London with the appointment of Sally Habbershaw as Chief Distribution Officer.

Valérie Vleeschhouwer, CEO of Mediawan Rights, will support the implementation of this new organisation and work alongside Habbershaw throughout a transition period, ahead of her departure from the Group. Vleeschhouwer has played a key role in the Group’s growth since 2017, particularly in the integration of Lagardère Studios’ distribution activities in 2020 and LEONINE Studios in 2024, following a successful 20-year tenure as Deputy Managing Director at AB Group.

“As we open a new chapter in Mediawan’s international expansion by relocating our distribution leadership to London, I am thrilled to welcome Sally Habbershaw to the Group, reporting to Elisabeth d’Arvieu, CEO of Mediawan Pictures. Her expertise and vision will be essential through this new phase of Mediawan’s global development. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Valérie Vleeschhouwer, whose exceptional leadership and dedication have been instrumental since the very first day at Mediawan. With over 30 years of experience, Valérie’s remarkable contribution has shaped our distribution activities, fostered privileged relationships with producers and external talents, and skillfully guided our adaptation to market evolutions. We are deeply grateful for her commitment throughout Mediawan’s development, growth, and internationalisation,” Pierre-Antoine Capton, Chairman and co-founder of Mediawan Group

Mediawan already boasts a catalogue of over 30,000 hours of programming across all genres, including acclaimed titles such as The Count of Monte Cristo, Zorro and Miraculous Ladybug, as well as upcoming dramas Riot Women, Sally Wainwright’s new series (Drama Republic), and Hugo Blick’s California Avenue (Drama Republic), both set to be showcased at MIPCOM. Mediawan produces more than 400 titles each year, including major successes such as ‘F1’ (Plan B), the multi-Emmy Award-winning series ‘Adolescence’ (Plan B) and ‘Slow Horses’ (See-Saw Films) and ‘Call My Agent!’, one of the most adapted series worldwide.

In this newly created London-based role, Habbershaw will lead Mediawan’s international sales activities and be responsible for the Group’s global content sales and acquisitions strategy. She will oversee worldwide distribution, formats, scripted and unscripted sales across all of Mediawan’s 80 production companies, operating in 14 countries. This new organisation will accelerate Mediawan’s global plans to build its English-speaking content pipeline and global partnerships. To champion this strategy, Habbershaw will be supported by Mediawan’s sales teams based in France and Germany, with further key appointments to be announced soon.

Sally Habbershaw was most recently EVP of the Americas for All3Media International. She also holds the role as deputy chair and board member for BAFTA North America. She is on the TV committee and is a passionate advocate of inclusivity, education and the arts.

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