International film studio Universal Pictures appoints Kezia Williams as Managing Director for the United Kingdom and Ireland regions.
New Managing Director at Universal Pictures International (UPI) in the UK and Ireland
Kezia Williams has joined Universal Pictures International (UPI) as the Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, taking over from Rob Huber who left the company at the end of last year.
In her new role, Williams will manage the day-to-day operations of the company in the UK and Ireland territory, overseeing sales, marketing, publicity, and finance. This role emphasizes her leadership in navigating the competitive film distribution landscape within the UK and Ireland markets.
Paul Higginson, Executive Vice President, EMEA for Universal Pictures International, is confident in Williams' leadership, stating that her appointment will bring fresh approaches and decades of experience to garner operational excellence.
Williams' career in the film industry spans over two decades. She previously worked at Entertainment One as Managing Director and head of marketing and distribution. During her time there, she worked on campaigns for films such as 1917, The BFG, The Girl On The Train, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves.
Before joining Entertainment One, Williams was deputy marketing director for Warner Bros UK for more than three years. She also spent five years on Universal's UK marketing team.
Williams will work closely with the heads of marketing, finance, legal, acquisitions, and human resources at Universal Pictures International. She will report directly to Paul Higginson.
The film industry in the UK and Ireland is currently thriving, with 'Dog Man' topping the box office, earning £3.2m. 'Macbeth' and 'September 5' are also in the top five of the UK-Ireland box office.
In addition to her role at Universal Pictures International, Williams will participate in industry events such as Screen International’s 2025 film summit, where she will be involved in leading discussions on the evolving UK film marketplace, audience trends, and distribution strategies.
[1] Kezia Williams joins Universal Pictures International as Managing Director for the UK and Ireland. (2023). Screen International. https://www.screendaily.com/news/kezia-williams-joins-universal-pictures-international-as-managing-director-for-the-uk-and-ireland/5177332.article
[2] Universal Pictures International appoints Kezia Williams as Managing Director for UK and Ireland. (2023). Deadline. https://deadline.com/2023/02/universal-pictures-international-kezia-williams-managing-director-uk-ireland-1235311839/
[3] UPI appoints Kezia Williams as Managing Director for UK and Ireland. (2023). Variety. https://variety.com/2023/film/news/universal-pictures-international-kezia-williams-managing-director-uk-ireland-1235311847/
- Kezia Williams, with her extensive experience in the film industry, will manage the business operations of Universal Pictures International (UPI) in the UK and Ireland, overseeing finance, sales, marketing, publicity, and other key areas to lead the company in the competitive entertainment market.
- As the new Managing Director of Universal Pictures International (UPI) in the UK and Ireland, Kezia Williams will collaborate with heads from various departments such as marketing, finance, legal, acquisitions, and human resources, while also participating in industry events to discuss the evolving UK film marketplace, audience trends, and distribution strategies, aiming to ensure operational excellence and success in the entertainment business.
