[Industry news] New TIGA Board Reinforces Commitment to Championing the UK Games Industry

This is a press release posted in addition to our usual editorial content.

TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, has announced the appointment of new members to its Board of Directors, strengthening the organisation’s ability to advocate for and support games businesses across the country.

 

The news comes following the recent announcement of Elaine Green as TIGA’s new Chair.

 

The appointments underline TIGA’s commitment to ensuring that the interests of games studios, publishers and associated companies of all sizes are represented at the highest level. Drawing on expertise from across the industry, the new Board reflects the breadth, diversity and dynamism of the UK’s games sector, encompassing businesses operating in different regions, specialisms and stages of growth.

 

As the industry navigates a rapidly evolving landscape, TIGA continues to champion policies and initiatives that help games companies succeed, create highly skilled jobs, attract investment, develop talent and drive innovation. TIGA campaigns for measures that support growth across the sector, including improved access to finance for small studios and enhancements to the Video Games Expenditure Credit. It works with universities to strengthen games education through its accreditation programmes and the TIGA Games Education Conference, and celebrate those organisations via the TIGA Education Awards. It also helps studios scale and grow through its flagship Start Up, Scale Up and Grow Conference, and celebrates excellence through the prestigious TIGA Games Industry Awards. The new Board will play a vital role in helping TIGA deliver on its mission to make the UK the best place in the world to develop video games.

 

The new Board members are:

 

Gemma Brown, Co-CEO, Dovetail Games

Gemma is responsible for driving business growth, commercial strategy, publishing operations, people leadership and organisational development across the studio. Alongside her role at Dovetail Games, she serves as Co-Director and Ambassador Director at Women in Games, a global organisation dedicated to empowering girls and women through education, careers, entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities within the games industry. She is also a member of the BAFTA Games Membership Committee, supporting engagement and representation across the UK’s creative and interactive entertainment sectors.

 

“TIGA has long been a powerful voice for our sector, not only representing the interests of game developers with policymakers and decision makers, but also helping to shape the future of our industry through its commitment to education and skills development. The work TIGA does with schools, colleges and universities is critical in strengthening the talent pipeline and ensuring the UK continues to develop the skilled, diverse and innovative workforce our industry needs to thrive.

“I look forward to bringing perspectives from my work at Dovetail Games, Women in Games and BAFTA, and to working alongside fellow Board members to help ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world to create, develop and grow games businesses.”

 

Ben Gunstone, CEO, Stainless Games

Ben’s career has spanned every level of video game development and publishing. Starting as a ‘hotliner’ at Nintendo in the days of the SNES, Ben rapidly progressed through the production ranks of SEGA and then Stainless Games, where he spent many years as Head of Production. After a stint running the UK operations of service provider GlobalStep, followed by an executive production role at sim experts Dovetail Games, Ben returned to Stainless in 2022, taking over from Patrick Buckland as CEO in 2025.

 

“I am delighted and honoured to join TIGA’s board and to support its work to make the UK one of the best places in the world to make games, with a particular personal focus on helping smaller independent studios build sustainable businesses and nurturing and retaining world-class talent here in the UK.”

 

Dan Hett, Studio Designer Director, d3t

Dan is an award-winning game designer, developer, writer, and director. He’s currently the Studio Design Director at d3t, a Keywords co-development studio, where he oversees a busy Design department working across a broad spectrum of AAA game development projects. A creative tech veteran of over 20 years, his career spans everything from BAFTA-winning game development for the BBC, a globally-exhibited digital arts practice, running an independent game studio, and now design and direction leadership on some of the biggest AAA videogames in the world.

 

“I am absolutely delighted to be appointed to the TIGA Board of Directors, alongside some of the most inspiring and exciting folks in the UK games industry. Together, it is my hope that this diverse group will have a tangible impact and continue the great work set out by TIGA, helping to form and push forward strategies, engagement and policies that will continue to strengthen the games industry across the UK. 

“As someone working right at the heart of it here at d3t, I firmly believe that the games sector in the UK is one of the best and brightest in the world, and that we continue to be strong, creative, inclusive, and vibrant. This appointment feels like a great way to help, and I look forward to getting stuck in.” 

 

Greg Howson, Director of Communications, Supermassive Games

Greg is an experienced communications and editorial leader with over two decades of experience across the games industry. Currently Director of Communications at Supermassive Games, Greg has spent the last decade there shaping the studio’s entire communications strategy, including overseeing press relations, social media, and spokesperson management, as well as collaborating closely with publisher marketing teams and TIGA itself. His career reflects a rare blend of strategic communications, editorial instincts, and a deep passion for games.

 

“I’m proud and honoured to be joining the TIGA Board. Over my 10 years at Supermassive Games, I’ve seen first-hand the creativity, resilience and ambition that make the UK games industry so special – and TIGA has been a vital part of that, championing studios of all sizes, promoting skills and education, driving growth, and representing the industry at every level of government. At Supermassive, I’ve been closely involved in a range of studio initiatives over the years, including local education outreach, and have worked with TIGA throughout that time. I’m delighted to bring my experience and perspective to the TIGA Board and to support the important work it continues to do for our industry, now and in the years ahead.”

 

Marco A. Minoli, Director of Publishing, Slitherine

Marco began his career in games marketing in 1997. A dedicated enthusiast of video game niches and vertical market segments, Marco has held marketing roles at EA and Eidos. Currently, he serves as the Director of Publishing at Slitherine, a company specialising in strategy and wargames. Marco is deeply committed to nurturing sustainable business practices and promoting responsible growth within the gaming industry. His extensive experience and passion for the sector have made him a key player in driving innovative and ethical approaches to game publishing.

 

“I am delighted to join the TIGA Board and contribute to the continued growth of the UK games industry. Drawing on my experience across game development, publishing, and education, I am particularly committed to supporting skills development and professional training. I hope to contribute to building a responsible, sustainable, and thriving video games ecosystem.”

 

Stuart Muckley, CEO, Code Wizards

Stuart is the CEO of Code Wizards Group founded 24 years ago to help other studios make amazing games.  He’s a BAFTA member, mentor, and states that he is incredibly grateful for a long career in videogames.

 

“I’m incredibly honoured to be elected to the TIGA Board; something I truly consider a privilege.  This role will allow me to amplify the role of service providers, independent studios, and self-funding.  I intend to champion service providers and the vital role they bring to the games ecosystem, encourage more collaboration across organisations, while ensuring the UK is the best place on the planet for making amazing games.”

 

Tim Repa-Davies, EVP, General Counsel & Head of Business Affairs, Sumo Digital

Tim is the EVP, General Counsel and Head of Business Affairs at Sumo Digital, and a Board Director across Sumo’s group of studios, his remit spans legal strategy, commercial operations, and business affairs across the Sumo Group. Commercially, Tim is responsible for the business affairs function across the group. He works alongside Sumo’s co-CEOs to contribute to strategic decision-making at Board level. On the legal side, Tim leads a team covering IP, data privacy, AI governance, regulatory compliance, and the full contractual lifecycle of game development. Beyond Sumo, Tim is a patron of Safe In Our World, the mental health charity dedicated to the games industry.

 

“I firmly believe in TIGA’s mission to make the UK the best place for developing video games. At Sumo Digital, I’ve spent my time working within a studio that helped shape the UK industry for over two decades and helped guide the organisation through the latest economic downturn. I want to bring Sumo’s perspective to TIGA. Sumo’s longevity and breadth give us a grounded understanding of the opportunities and pressures facing studios across the country. In addition, I want the games industry to become a stable sector where individuals can make and enjoy building their careers in games regardless of economic background.”

 

Sitara Shefta, Co-Founder & CEO, Pretty Cool Games

Sitara is the Co-Founder & CEO of Pretty Cool Games, an indie studio developing its debut title. Prior to this, Sitara was the CEO of No Brakes Games, the developer of the Human Fall Flat franchise, where she led studio direction, game direction and production management. Over the years she’s contributed to a number of beloved AAA and indie titles as an award-winning developer. She is also a member of the BAFTA Games Committee.

 

“I’m excited to be joining the TIGA board to help better represent new start-ups and independent development studios. The industry continues to go through turbulent times, making it even more challenging for studios to secure funding and grow to become sustainable businesses. I’m keen to contribute my knowledge and experience to the conversation about how we can change and improve this moving forward so instead, the UK industry can thrive again. I’m also keen to ensure that we champion people from different backgrounds, focus on developing the skills of the next generations working closely with the education sector, and advocate for the wider UK games industry outside of London too.”

 

John Tearle, Co-Founder & Studio Director, Flix Interactive

John Tearle is Co-Founder and Studio Director of Flix Interactive, bringing more than 20 years’ experience across both independent and AAA games, studio leadership, business development and industry partnerships. Since co-founding Flix Interactive, John has helped bootstrap and grow the studio into a sustainable independent business supporting more than 150 developers, that have had the privilege of working on and shipping games that have won multiple awards. As an independent studio head, John has first-hand experience of building and scaling a UK games business, including raising funds, securing strategic partnerships, developing sustainable production pipelines and creating long-term opportunities for developers. 

 

“I am particularly keen on championing new roots to sustainable growth. In the current climate, we need to help new independent studios to grow in the UK with access to funding, stronger developer pipelines and closer collaboration between industry, emerging technologies, education, and government.”

 

Commenting on the appointment of the new Board Members, TIGA CEO Richard Wilson OBE said:

“We are delighted to welcome our new Board members, whose experience and expertise span the breadth of the UK games industry. Their appointment strengthens TIGA’s ability to represent and advocate for the interests of games studios, publishers and associated businesses across the country.

 

“The UK games industry is a remarkable success story, generating economic growth, creating highly skilled jobs and producing world-class IP. It is essential that companies of all sizes, from start-ups and scale-ups to established studios and publishers, have a strong voice. Our new Board reflects the diversity, talent and ambition of our sector and will help ensure that TIGA continues to champion the policies, initiatives and opportunities that enable games businesses throughout the UK to thrive.”