Global cinema chain operator Cineworld has named John Henrich as general counsel as part of a broader refresh of its executive team following its emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings last year.

Henrich joins from beauty supplies business Sally Beauty, where he was also GC and led its audit, regulatory, information security and corporate strategy teams. He will now assume similar responsibilities at the cinema chain.

Cineworld declared bankruptcy in September 2022 after years of mounting debt was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and a broader decline in moviegoing. It emerged from bankruptcy protection last August after cutting its debt and raising new equity capital. Cineworld now operates in 10 countries and owns theatre brands including Regal, Picturehouse, Planet and Cinema City.

Henrich arrives alongside a group of senior executives including new chief financial officer Thomas Song, chief human resources officer Ben Hill, Cineworld International president Javier Sotomayor and John Curry, who is joining as senior vice president of commercial at Regal.

Eduardo Acuna, chief executive officer for Cineworld Group, said: “We are excited to welcome Tom, Ben, John, Javier and John to our executive team. With their combined industry experience, leadership and communication skills, we are well-positioned to lead the best team in exhibition driving growth and success for Cineworld Group on a global level.”

Henrich spent more than 12 years at Sally Beauty, the past five of them as GC and another year or so as interim having previously been deputy GC and head of regulatory. He originally joined in 2012 as a senior counsel. Prior to that he spent more than six years at French hotel operator Accor Hospitality, the final year as senior counsel. He also spent two years as a corporate associate at US law firm Winstead.

Henrich was replaced at Sally Beauty by Scott Sherman, who was promoted to chief legal officer in addition to his chief HR officer role. Sherman originally joined Sally Beauty in 2012 as associate GC from Littler Mendelson, where he was a shareholder.