Alice Taylor amongst six new Ukie board members

Six new leading UK developers, publishers and studio heads have been named as new representatives on the Ukie board.

After recent elections held by the trade body, Revolution COO Noirin Carmody, Sports Interactive studio director Miles Jacobson, MakieLab founder Alice Taylor and Splash Damage CEO Paul Wedgwood have all won a place on Ukie’s board.

The four studio heads were joined by SCE’s UK & Ireland MD Fergal Gara and Nintendo Europe’s anti-piracy counsel Neil Boyd, both of whom have won a place on the board of directors for the first time.

Other board members who retained their positions include Eidos life president Ian Livingstone, Ubisoft Northern Europe and export territories MD Rob Cooper and EA Northern Europe GM Keith Ramsdale.

The nine board members will be responsible for helping to represent the games industry and shaping Ukie policy moving forward.

“I’m honoured and humbled to have been voted onto the Ukie board and promise to do my best to represent developers and the wider industry as best I can during my term,” said Miles Jacobson.

“My key interests on the board will be ensuring that the tax break consultation leads to something that everyone in the industry can be happy with, that we help build the next generation of talent to push the British games industry forward and to help build bridges to ensure that the industry is talking with one voice to government which will help smooth future discussions.”

Ukie CEO Jo Twist added: “I welcome this new blood to the Ukie Board and can’t wait to work with them. Having these individuals who represent different parts of the industry join the Ukie Board, as well as growing our membership to now represent 136 diverse companies, is a clear sign that we are now offering services that are relevant to the whole UK games and interactive entertainment industry.

“We now represent all the major UK and global publishers, the main console manufacturers, top UK development talent, and promising start-ups and disruptive companies. This mix is critical to making sure that we remain relevant and accountable to the industry and we will be listening and responding to their ideas and what they want in any way we can.

“Our strategic programmes deliver what the industry needs, giving real value to our diverse membership. From campaigning for improvements in skills and games tax production credits, to hosting events and delivering practical advice for games businesses, our commitment to the industry is clear, and has underpinned our membership growth.”