Humber Business Week confirms keynote role for global movie executive

A University of Hull graduate who helped shape the development of BAFTA in the UK and United States as a global movie industry executive will return to East Yorkshire next month as a keynote speaker at Humber Business Week.

As the former President, International Marketing, at 20th Century Fox, Kieran Breen was responsible for operations which consistently generated yearly box office in excess of $1bn and delivered some of the most iconic and successful movie events of recent years including Avatar, Life of Pi, the X-Men and Ice Age franchises.

He still serves on the advisory board of Hull University Business School, mentors students at the University and is a guest lecturer on film and marketing.

Pat Coyle, Chair of Humber Business Week, said his return to Hull for the Biz Week launch lunch on Monday 1 June adds real star quality to an event which is already nearly sold out.

Pat said: “Kieran has built a remarkable career, most recently at 20th Century Fox, where he led global teams across more than 50 territories and helped bring some of the most culturally defining films of recent decades to audiences worldwide.

“What makes Kieran’s story especially meaningful at Humber Business Week is his long-standing connection with Hull. An economics graduate of the University of Hull, he continues to give back to the city through his work on the advisory board of Hull University Business School, mentoring students and sharing his real-world experience of leadership and creativity.

“Alongside his marketing career, Kieran’s ongoing BAFTA roles speak volumes about his commitment to nurturing talent and supporting the wider creative industries. His journey is a powerful example of how world-class careers can be built from Humber roots.”

Prior to its acquisition by Disney in 2019, Kieran Breen was the co-head for all international theatrical territory operations and P&L and was directly responsible for strategy, research, media, digital and social marketing, publicity, creative and promotions for all Fox, Fox Animation, Fox2000, and Regency movies in all territories outside of the United States.  

He directed the efforts of 600 employees across more than 50 territories, and in addition to the franchises worked on individual titles The Revenant, Deadpool. The Greatest Showman and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Earlier iin his career, as Marketing Director with PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Mr Breen worked on the creative advertising and the international distribution for a range of hit titles including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bean, Notting Hill and Spice World, The Usual Suspects and Trainspotting.

Mr Breen completed four years as Chairman of BAFTA North America and was also on the Board of BAFTA London through 2020.  During that time, he championed the British film industry in the US, hired a new CEO, overhauled the governance and spearheaded the move to operationally unify BAFTA in LA, New York and London.  He is currently serves on the BAFTA commercial committee.

He is currently consulting for studios and producers as well as developing projects for film and television through his company Liberty Star Films. In addition, Mr Breen has lectured on international distribution and marketing at numerous events including UCLA, London Film School, the London Business School and Inside Pictures, the UK’s pre-eminent industry training programme.

He will speak at the Humber Business Week launch lunch, which will take place at midday on Monday 1 June at the MKM Stadium in Hull.

Pat said: “Humber Business Week 2026 promises to be better than ever with a packed, varied and exciting programme of some 50 events. Many are already close to capacity so I’d urge people to check the official website now to make sure they don’t miss out.

“We are incredibly lucky to be welcoming Kieran as our keynote speaker for the launch lunch, and with only a few seats still available we’re confident we’ll start Humber Business Week with a sell-out!”

To find out more about Humber Business Week and to book places at the lunch and other events in the programme visit https://humberbusinessweek.co.uk/