Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Michael Lynton is the Chairman of Snap Inc and the CEO of Sony Entertainment, where he has overseen Sonys global entertainment businesses, including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment. As Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) he has managed the studios overall global operations, which include motion picture, television and digital content production and distribution, home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, and the development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Prior to joining Sony Pictures, Michael worked for Time Warner and served as CEO of AOL Europe, President of AOL International and President of Time Warner International. From 1996 to 2000, he served as Chairman and CEO of Pearson plcs Penguin Group, where he oversaw the acquisition of Putnam, Inc. and extended the Penguin brand to music and the Internet. Michael joined The Walt Disney Company in 1987 and started Disney Publishing, serving as its President. From 1992 to 1996, he served as President of Disneys Hollywood Pictures. Michael is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the boards of the American Film Institute, the Smithsonian Board of Regents, the Harvard Board of Overseers, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, J. Paul Getty Trust, USC School of Cinematic Arts and the RAND Corporation. In addition, he sits on the board of directors of Snapchat and Ares Management, L.P
The role is not remunerated and this appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Michael Lynton has declared no political activity.