Julien Leroux exiting Newen Distribution UK

Julien Leroux is leaving his post as executive VP of sales and content at the UK arm of France’s Newen Group, TBI can reveal.

The exec has been with Newen since 2011, initially joining from Groupe AB to become sales and acquisitions director.

He rose through the ranks to become deputy-managing director of Paris-based Newen Distribution before relocating to London to launch the new arm, Newen Distribution UK, in May 2017.

Soon after, Newen launched a €50 million (US$62.1 million) UK drama investment fund in order to build up a slate of English-language content that Newen can coproduce and sell internationally.

Leroux and Newen Distribution MD Malika Abdellaoui worked closely together on the project, which was launched to bring around three or four high-end dramas to the company, though none have been made public yet.

TBI understands Newen is currently working on its next play in the UK.

Newen, which owns prodcos such as Versailles coproducer Capa Drama and Telfrance, is known internationally for selling dramas such as Ouro and Witnesses, formats and factual series.

TF1 Group-owned Newen declined to comment, while Leroux could not be contacted.