On November 10, 2026, National CineMedia, Inc. (NCM) announced that Chief Executive Officer Thomas F. Lesinski will retire as part of a transition plan. Mr. Lesinski will step down from his position as CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors on December 31, 2026. The Board has retained the executive search firm Korn Ferry to assist with a comprehensive search for the Company’s next chief executive officer.
In connection with his departure, Mr. Lesinski will continue to serve as CEO through the transition date to ensure business continuity. He has been with the company for over 12 years, having joined the Board in 2014 and assuming the CEO role in 2019.
Mr. Lesinski has entered into a Transition and Separation Agreement and General Release dated November 9, 2026. Under the terms of this agreement, he is set to receive a severance payment of $3,000,000, minus applicable deductions and withholdings, payable over a 12-month period following the Transition Date. Additionally, he will be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage for up to 12 months and will receive payment for any annual bonus earned in respect of the 2026 performance year.
Regarding equity-based awards, Mr. Lesinski will generally receive pro-rata vesting through the Transition Date. With respect to outstanding performance-based stock units, he will remain eligible to vest in all or a portion of such awards based on actual performance achieved during the applicable performance period. The payments and benefits are contingent upon his execution of a release of claims and continued compliance with restrictive covenants.
David Glazek, Chair of the Board, stated that the Board intends to identify a new leader with the vision and operating experience to accelerate NCM’s growth. The Company noted that it remains focused on accelerating its core advertising business and integrating its recently acquired subsidiary, Captivate.
