United Kingdom
I'm a Business Development Specialist with over 20 years in the games industry. My career has spanned original IP, licensed partnerships, and co-development work-for-hire — giving me a broad perspective on how great games are made and how the right commercial relationships make them possible. I've worked across mobile, console, and PC, with studios ranging from small independents to large multi-studio groups. I love building meaningful connections in this industry, a passion that goes all the way back to 2004 when I co-founded GameHorizon — a regional developer network for the North East of England, and its flagship annual conference. Recent & notable roles: Business Development Director — Auroch Digital A studio renowned for its love of boardgames and tabletop games, and its longstanding partnership with Games Workshop. Known for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, Boltgun 2, Brewmaster, Mars Horizon, and co-development work on titles including Sea of Thieves and V Rising. Business Development Director — Sumo Digital Within the central team, I sourced game development opportunities across Sumo's group of 15+ studios, including the Sumo branded studios, Auroch Digital, Red Kite Games, The Chinese Room, Atomhawk, and Pixel Ant Games. Head of Business Development — Tag Games A mobile specialist where I built long term valuable partnerships with Rovio, Paradox, Ubisoft and Zynga. Tag was later acquired by Scopely.
Auroch Digital is a game development studio, founded in 2010. Located in Bristol, UK, we’re a remote-first studio made up of 100~ developers from across the country. We are passionate boardgame and tabletop game fans and that's why one of our specialities is bringing those games to digital platforms. We also have a track record in making strategy, simulation and management titles. Auroch do a combination of own IP games (Brewmaster, Mars Horizon), working with trusted and licensed partners (Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, Boltgun 2), publishing console ports (Democracy 4, Wildermyth) and co-development work-for-hire projects (Sea of Thieves, V Rising). Auroch have made a number adaptations of board games into digital games with companies such as Games Workshop, Steve Jackson Games, and Modiphius Entertainment.
Sumo Digital is a family of award-winning game developers and artists. From mobile games to AAA, we’re passionate about developing games that our partners and players enjoy. We are one of the largest suppliers of end-to-end creative development services to the video games and entertainment industries. My role as Director of Business Development is a key part of the front-line Business development leadership team, and part of the wider Business Development Department of Sumo Group. Key experience: - Making sure Sumo Digital and its studios are at the forefront of our partners mind when looking for game development support - Finding and developing new accounts, taking a driving role in identifying the right potential partners for Sumo and discovering new opportunities - Building and maintaining the sales pipeline with new projects from new partners - Building key client contacts to surface as many opportunities with each partner as possible - Playing a key role in the external client approach strategy, working with the wider BD team to identify new potential clients or services Sumo can offer - Contributing to group wide information on accounts and the market, bringing insights that help to drive strategic conversation and planning
Firestoke is a full service publisher with a shared vision of developer friendly publishing. I was part of the founding team in 2021, alongside Paul Farley and Omar Khalil. Together, we established the vision, goals and values of Firestoke and launched a brand new publisher of PC and Console games. Key experience: - Responsible for identifying emerging developers and potential partner studios - Responsible for marketing and promoting Firestoke to the wider industry and building out our network - Supported the scouting process, seeking out great game developers and games - Contributed to the development of our core pillars that make a Firestoke game - Contributed to the creation of Firestoke's greenlight process