SkyShowtime poaches Mark Neil from A+E Networks EMEA

Mark Neil

SkyShowtime has hired Mark Neil, chief financial officer of A+E Networks EMEA to  serve the same role at the Comcast and Paramount joint venture.

Neil who joins the European streaming service in January 2024 will be based in London and report to SkyShowtime boss Monty Sarhan.

He replaces current CFO Francesca Pierce who has been promoted to the newly created role chief administration officer. She will continue to report to Sarhan and will begin her new role in January once Neil formally joins as CFO.

During his seven-year tenure at A+E Networks, the chief built out a full finance structure and helped to deliver growth across the integrated EMEA businesses.

He also regularly interfaced with A+E Networks’ UK Board of Directors which, as a joint venture, includes executives from owners Sky and Hearst

Neil has over three decades of experience in media and telecommunications, with stints at News Corporation, Thomson Reuters, and Scripps Networks.

Commenting on the hire, Sarhan said: “Mark is an exceptional finance executive and I’m excited to welcome him to the SkyShowtime team. His experience in helping to scale new businesses as well as working at a joint venture make him an ideal choice to succeed Francesca.”

Neil added: “I am delighted to be joining the team at SkyShowtime. I have been monitoring its progress since launching one year ago and I am truly impressed with the speed to market and the strength of the business. I am very much looking forward to being part of SkyShowtime’s future success.”

In her new role as chief administration officer, Pierce will be responsible for maximising the business both operationally and financially. Her focus will be to drive growth across all departments, working with leaders across the business.