Voting is now open for the 2022 Ukie Board election. All of the candidates for election are listed below, alongside their personal statement explaining why they would like to join the board.
- Ukie members who are eligible to vote in the election have been sent an email with a voting link by Civica, the independent company managing the election process. This has been sent to the main contact at each member. Please speak to your main contact to confirm receipt of the ballot paper and ask them to check their junk/spam folder if they haven't received it
- There are SEVEN spaces on the board at this year’s election. This means each member is able to cast a vote for SEVEN different candidates (as per our election rules). Please cast votes for seven candidates to ensure that your voice is heard as strongly as possible
- If you have not received your ballot paper, have a problem with your vote or have a question about the process, please contact Sam Collins for assistance
The deadline for voting is 5pm on Thursday 15th September. The results will be announced at Ukie's AGM On Thursday 22nd September, which you can sign up for here.
Contact Sam if you have a question
Keith Anderson, VP Marketing, Dovetail Games
An entrepreneurial marketing veteran and passionate leader, I have been privileged to build great teams and bring amazing PC and Console games to market. That’s the first thing you will see if you search for me on LinkedIn.
But keep scrolling and you will see that the games market isn’t something I fell into, it is my passion. With a career in games spanning over 20 years, my love for gaming has driven my profession from the very beginning, inspiring me to build gaming communities and bring like-minded people together. Winning gamers hearts and minds while promoting and curating the experiences they love is central to why I do what I do.
On putting myself forward for this nomination, I asked myself “Can my experience help others? Does it allow me to contribute to the industry?” My conclusion, I honestly believe it does. Here’s why:
I have worked on both the publisher and developer sides of the games industry. I’ve been part of a team building a studio from scratch, going through the challenges of recruiting through Brexit and Covid while trying to build a team culture and a new IP. I’ve worked on some of the biggest IPs out there, including Star Wars: The Old Republic, World of Tanks and Magic: The Gathering. Having done deep dives into many different types of sales and monetization models, with experience anchored in Games-as-a-service and FTP monetization, I have an understanding of how they impact our players and sometimes our reputation. And yet, I am still learning. This is an industry that does not stand still.
It would be a privilege to be on the board for Ukie, working alongside like-minded and passionate people among the gaming industry. I would welcome your nomination.
Mark Backler, CEO, Sketchbook Games - @markbackler
I believe having a more diverse games workforce will help us reach more players and make our industry better for those making and playing games. Please continue to vote for a wide range of candidates for UKIE's board, even if that means not voting for me. However, if you have any votes to spare, let me state my case.
My experience of a range of different areas of game development comes from having worked at AAA developers, AA devs and now running my own independent company, Sketchbook Games. As a studio we've released our own award winning IP, Lost Words, as well as completing work for hire contracts.
UKIE already spearheads campaigns such as the Green Games Guide and Green Games Summit, so I'd support this great work and see we do all we can as an industry to address the climate emergency and prevent catastrophic climate change.
Now games are a bigger industry than ever, we have a great opportunity, as well as a responsibility, to make a positive difference to the world. Despite the turbulent times we're living through, with the power and reach that games have there's a huge amount we can do to solve many of the problems the world is currently facing.
I find helping people very rewarding and have mentored individuals through Limit Break and teams through Tranzfuser and the Tentacle Zone Incubator, as well as giving talks at universities, colleges and schools. I co- founded the community interest company Game Anglia to help teach game development skills to the next generation of game developers in the East of England, and my hometown of Ipswich.
We're lucky the UK has such great support for game developers through the BFI, UK Games Fund, Creative UK and VGTR but I want us to do even more to help developers of all sizes, and to continue UKIE'S mission of making the UK the best place to make, play and sell games.
I'm fortunate enough to have benefited from UKIE'S support over the years and would like to give back to the games industry by joining the board.
Des Gayle, Founder and Game Director, Altered Gene Limited - @kid_desimo
I'm standing for my final term on the Ukie board to continue championing the voice of other independent developers and support UKIE's diversity and inclusion initiatives.
If re-elected, my focus would be on increasing funding opportunities and helping to refine support schemes for game developers.
Li Ma, Director, Tencent
It’s been a pleasure to serve on the Ukie Board for the past 2 years. I felt I have been complementary to the Board and contributed in a few crucial areas, but the work has only just started. Encouraged by the Board, I am putting myself forward for re-election.
As a self-taught programmer, a former esports player, and a lifetime gamer(playing Stray with my cat recently), I am immensely proud to be part of the UK games community and closely involved in different initiatives to support the industry. I have spent significant time with the following charity roles: BAFTA Young Game Designers and main Games Award Jury (five times), Chair of London Games Festival’s Advisory Board, Board of Trustees of National Video Games Museum/BGI.
At Ukie, I would look to leverage my experience to humbly help with the following:
- Support Ukie members and the industry to attract funding: Based in London, I help cover Tencent’s business initiatives. I regularly interact with various talented companies for funding discussions. I have helped various Ukie ‘Access to Finance’ sessions, supporting UK companies design better fundraising strategies, and can continue to offer my strategic advice.
- With my background, I would like to continue promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the involvement of the younger generation. I have contributed to initiatives such as London Games Festival’s Ensemble programme, BAFTA YGD, and many others.
- Help with Asian markets strategy, and beyond. to provide a different viewpoint to Ukie members and to advise strategically on how to bring titles to Asia, and in general how the UK become better positioned to tap into the global markets.
- Provide Ukie members with my insights of Mobile, Games-as-a-Service and more. My current role gives me a unique vantage point on these topics affecting global and UK companies, and key learnings and lessons from Riot, Epic, Supercell, Miniclip these Tencent investees.
For all these reasons, I hope that you will look upon my nomination favourably. Would also be great to exchange ideas with you over a coffee, to discuss anything you think I could be of your assistance. Thank you.
Chris Kempt, Partner, Kempt & Co - @chriskempt
Until last year and for nearly 20 years preceding that I ran successful game studios building web-based games initially and then free to play mobile games. Alongside that I had the honour of chairing the prestigious BIMA Awards (doubling profit and trebling attendance in the process), sat on the board of both BIMA and TIGA, mentored young entrepreneurs for the Kent Foundation and was nominated for young interactive entrepreneur of the year. It’s not all been easy though, I’ve encountered and overcome almost every challenge it’s possible to face in the process.
More recently I’ve been involved with UKIE helping to run the mobile members’ group with George and Ewan and earlier this year I setup Kempt & Co - a network consultancy focussed on supporting games and other forward- thinking creative businesses to develop their teams, product and processes so that they can run more efficiently and effectively - something that, having spent most of my career either bootstrapping or running business with minimal support, I’m quite skilled at.
Given my experience and current focus I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting small and independent businesses in our industry and, having been a member of UKIE for many years now i’ve been hugely impressed by the work they’ve done to support all their members regardless of size. l would therefore be honoured to serve on the board and look forward to lending my further efforts to the cause of such an impressive organisation.
Harinder Sangha, Operations Director, Sumo Digital Ltd - @harinder_sangha
I can hardly believe it’s been two years since I was first elected to the UKIE board; as we are all well aware, it’s been a tough few years that we have had to contend with and find that path that works best for us as both individuals and studio; I don’t feel I have wholly scratched the surface of what I would like to have achieved in my time as a board member, so hopefully, you would all like to see my tenure continue. I feel the future of our industry is strong and bright, but we also have some obstacles to overcome to ensure that stays the case in the UK; how do we motivate and encourage our people to continue working for UK business when you can work anywhere. How do we encourage our UK Studios to continue moving forward with all the good we have learnt from the pandemic and remain flexible for our people? Diversity continues to be an ongoing challenge; although we are starting to see a more diverse junior talent pool, we’re still not breaking the glass ceilings for senior positions. We need to do more. How do we ensure VGTR continues to be supported at the same rates or better? I believe we can all continue to make this a better industry; we all have a vital part to play, and I’m looking forward to having that opportunity again with the other members of this board.
Simon Barratt, CEO, Cooperative Innovations - @barog
Having previously served on the board for 6 years and proudly helping bring in governance amendments to restrict the term a board member can serve I’m very happy to be back after 2 years hoping to serve again! :)
My mum taught me to code in BASIC when I was 6 years old and I was lucky enough to be able to teach myself from there, I moved to Bradford at 16 to get my first job as a programmer and a few years later started my first studio. Fast forward to now, at 40, I’m very proud to have built some great teams, careers, technology and games with internal team sizes of 15-30 people.
I would love to be back on the board representing independent developers, non London based companies and individuals, VR/AR developers and also ensuring that any form of ‘metaverse’ that appears is safe, open to all and not destroying the planet!
I’ve been pushing for further diversity in the industry for many years, organising events such as Get Into Gaming and supporting a range of related initiatives. As someone who didn’t go the university route I’d like to see a greater uptake in apprenticeships and support for juniors.
On the qualification side of things I’ve been working with University of Leeds, helping them create the High Performance Graphics and Games Engineering Masters, and sitting on their steering board hoping to improve the technical talent coming into the industry.
I’m also very passionate about online safety and the sustainability impact that games have, I’ve been involved in the Ukie Green Games work since it’s inception.
Thank you for reading all of this, needless to say I’m very passionate about this industry that I love and want us to continue to strive to do better.
Maria Sayans, Chief Executive Officer, ustwo games - @stealthcrystal
After two intense and inspiring years on the UKIE board, I would like to serve for another two and so I am running for re-election.
When I first put my name forward in 2020 I was motivated by a sense of responsibility, as a leader in the games industry, to help shape it for the future. To drive greater positive impact on our players and our teams, for sure, but also on the planet and on society more broadly.
It has always been very top of mind for me that the share of humanity’s time that is spent in games is only increasing. The pandemic put that very much into focus, and I believe that growth will continue in the medium and long term.
The norms, behaviours, values, relationships, and knowledge that players and communities develop in games will help shape the world of the future. How do we use the games industry to help create a better future?
UKIE is a world-leading industry body, and it has been thrilling to collaborate with the UKIE team and fellow board members on topics and projects such as the Green Gaming Guide, Digital School House, DEI initiatives, legislative changes, and raising the industry’s profile to name a few.
I would love to continue working with the UKIE team and board on these topics as well as others, such as how to support mobile developers better, or how to increase the relevance of the UK as the best place to make games in an evolving global market.
In terms of my experience - I have been in the industry since 2001. I spent 14 years at EA doing online, marketing and publishing work. In 2015 I joined CCP as their Chief Customer Officer, and in 2019 I became CEO at ustwo games.
Alastair Moore, Games Corporate Development, Byte Dance
I seek your vote because I have over 7 years of global games industry experience and am keen to give back to the industry as a UKIE board member.
Originally from Northern Ireland I’ve had the chance to work at Jagex, Wargaming and now Nuverse. Having been Legal Counsel and now working in a Corporate Development role, I’ve developed a solid understanding of the industry. I’m particularly strong on the Commercial and M&A side of the business and can lean on this experience to help the Board fulfil its main duties and tasks.
My career in the industry has also provided me with unique international exposure. As a result, I’ve been able to grow an extensive network of colleagues and friends around the world. I think that experience will serve me well in helping UKIE make the UK the best place to make, sell and play games.
Thank you for your consideration.
Tim Woodley, Head of Publishing, Hello Games - @HelloTimW
With over 20 years experience in the video games industry, I have held senior marketing and publishing positions at major multi-national corporations (Activision), smaller publishers (505 Games) and, most recently, independent UK developer Hello Games (No Man's Sky).Consequently I believe I can see the industry from multiple perspectives and am perfectly placed to contribute to its evolution.
I have been privileged to serve on the UKIE board on and off for a considerable number of years now and have relished helping it develop and morph into the diverse, representative and respectful entity that it is today. I have greatly enjoyed chairing the board over the last year and would hugely appreciate the opportunity to continue what I and my fellow board members have started with an attitude of positivism and unity.
10 years ago, our CEO and my board predecessors set in motion a prophetic ten year vision for UKIE which has stood us in excellent stead over the decade as the world changed around us. There is much to do as we look to the next ten years which I believe will be just as disruptive than the last, if not more so. Re-setting the clock and re-orienting UKIE and the UK industry for the future and rising to the significant challenges that the moving industry plates always throw up, while at the same time grasping the inevitable opportunities that continue to come our way, will continue to be our priority.
Bu as the UK video games industry continues to become an increasingly visible and meaningful contributor to UK PLC, economically, socially and culturally, the requirement to double down on our societal responsibilities comes into sharp focus.
Fortunately, through the work of Jo, her team and an enviable board structure, the foundations are already in place and we are well on our way to leading other industries by our example and our relentlessly futurist agenda.
Brian Trunk, VP & General Manager - EMEA, LATAM & APAC, Wizards of the Coast
Hi everybody,
I’ve worked for Wizards of the Coast for over 13 years and I’m currently the General Manager and VP for EMEA, LATAM & APAC.
Whilst our heritage at Wizards is in tabletop gaming across the world-renowned and much- loved Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering franchises, we’ve recently expanded into digital gaming, releasing Magic: The Gathering Arena on mobile and PC and Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance on consoles and PC last year. Our Uxbridge- based EMEA team is also expanding quickly, with many of our new hires having extensive videogames backgrounds.
We have exciting plans to continue our expansion into digital gaming and I believe that having a place on the UKIE board will allow me to contribute towards UKIE strategy and policy and support the team from a particularly unique viewpoint of a company which straddles both the videogaming and tabletop gaming sectors, whilst also being part of Hasbro, one of the best known toy and entertainment companies in the world.
I love videogames and want to offer my passion, experience, and insights to add and contribute to the range of voices on the UKIE board and support our amazing interactive entertainment industry in the UK.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and please don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions.
Brian
Kaya Tilev, CEO, Lava Labs - @kayatilev
Kaya brings an American Sillicon Valley perspective to attracting investors and growth of game companies akin to technology companies.
With experience in the games industry in California and Sweden, he has acute knowledge of what it takes to incentivize thriving ecosystems in an organic fashion.
Amplified by his impeccable history invlusing top American Universities such as Stanford’ University, he brings fresh perspective and new opportunity at a critical juncture for the future of games as a whole.
He has served on and serves on multiple boards, and his a venture partner to the largest most reputable game focus funds in the world.
He would be honored to contribute his knowledge to the UKIE Mission and UK ecosystem as a whole throughout his tenure.