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Warner Media announces new UK & Ireland team
MUMBAI: Polly Cochrane, Warner Media's new country manager for the UK and Ireland, has unveiled her leadership team. The company also announced that John Stanley, who helmed Warner Bros’ home entertainment operation in UK, Ireland, Spain and Nordics, has decided to exit after a tenure of 14 years.
Stanley will step down from his responsibilities at the end of November, but stay on until the end of June on a series of transition projects.
The new team brings together a group of seasoned executives in Alison Morris, Neil Marshall, Rachel Wakley, Alex Lewis, Allan Stenhouse and Charlie Cubbon. “I am excited to bring together such an outstanding group of executives, each of whom is testament to the great talent we have within the company,” said Cochrane. “As we integrate the commercial and group marketing activities of our Warner Bros businesses and our entertainment networks, we will benefit from their passion for our product, astute thinking, and proven desire to push new boundaries.”
Alison Morris, who currently oversees the distribution of Warner Bros, Turner, HBO, and HBO Max content, will now lead a newly formed TV and digital distribution group which also includes home video digital distribution. She will also integrate Turner affiliate & ad sales into this combined team, working closely with respective leaders Riccardo Donato and Andrew Mallandaine.
Meanwhile, Neil Marshall will continue to lead theatrical film distribution, and now also takes on local film production, supported by Patrick Strafford. In addition to this, he will assume oversight for all operations in Ireland.
Rachel Wakley, who currently oversees consumer products & experiences, will expand her remit to encompass physical video and physical & digital games sales, bringing the company’s entire physical business across all retail and e-commerce channels under her purview.
Alex Lewis will continue to lead film & games marketing. Lewis recently added digital & data strategy and media & brand partnerships as well as games to her remit and will now oversee the marketing of film catalogue in addition to her existing responsibilities for new release film.
Allan Stenhouse will continue to lead TV Marketing, having recently taken on Turner and HBO Home Video marketing and TV distribution support in addition to the Warner Bros content he continues to manage.
Lewis and Stenhouse will continue to jointly oversee creative services and franchise management for the UK & Ireland.
Meanwhile, Charlie Cubbon will lead on commercial development for the UK and Ireland region, and will also oversee a newly formed central commercial planning team as well as the long-term strategy on games. He will continue to oversee supply chain.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
