Industry Expert Alison Cornwell Appointed CFO at Easttree Media
Alison Cornwell, a seasoned professional with significant experience in the cinema industry, has recently taken on the role of Chief Financial Officer at the newly established UK media firm, Easttree Media. Cornwell, who spent the last ten years as the CFO of the major cinema operator Vue International, brings her expertise to this innovative company.
Introduction to Easttree Media
Easttree Media, which commenced operations just last month, is a pioneering investment platform focused on acquiring income rights for movies and television series. The company utilizes a unique, data-driven approach to evaluate passive income streams. This system is designed to provide a means for individuals and entities in the entertainment sector, like actors, writers, directors, producers, financiers, and studios, to monetize their income rights partially or wholly.
While Easttree has successfully completed several deals involving globally renowned series and artists, specific details of these transactions remain undisclosed, as per the company’s response to inquiries from the press.
Backing and Leadership
Easttree is financially supported by funds and accounts managed by the American financial behemoth BlackRock. The company was co-founded by Marc Allen, previously the COO at 42, along with Chris Helm and Markku Lonnqvist, both former executives at Hipgnosis. Hipgnosis is notable for its acquisitions of song rights from famous musicians such as Neil Young and Justin Bieber, and was recently acquired by Blackstone in 2024 for a sum of $1.6 billion.
Alison Cornwell’s career includes significant roles such as CFO and Senior Vice President at Disney’s international TV division, Group CFO at Sparrowhawk Media Group (later part of NBC Universal), and at the transatlantic film company Alliance Films. Cornwell, who is also a trained accountant, has served as a Governor at the British Film Institute (BFI).
Strategic Addition to Easttree Media
Chris Helm, expressing his enthusiasm about Cornwell joining the team, stated, “Alison is a fantastic addition to the Easttree team, and we feel privileged to welcome her. Her extensive knowledge of the industry and outstanding financial expertise significantly enhance our operational capabilities and our strategic ambitions for 2026 and beyond. Alison’s financial insight, disciplined approach, and strategic perspective are invaluable as we expand our participation portfolio and strengthen our collaborations with talent and rights-holders.”
Upon her appointment, Alison Cornwell shared her excitement, “I’m honored to join Easttree Media at such a crucial time in its development. The chance to contribute to building an investment platform that combines institutional rigor with the flexibility of a founder-led venture is exceptional. This part of the industry is often overlooked, and Easttree’s swift advancement, evidenced by numerous agreements already sealed with prominent figures in film and TV, is a testament to the robustness of our business model and the potential of our team as we rapidly expand.”
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
His sharp analysis and investigative reports make complex financial topics accessible to all readers.
