Ellis leaves HMV as games and tech buyers merge

HMV's head of games Tim Ellis has left the company after more than six years in the position.

The move comes in the same week that Simon Fox, chief executive at the entertainment retailer, said that the company would consider scaling back its sales of video games and dropping support for catalogue titles.

On Monday HMV revealed that sales of the crucial Christmas period were down 16 per cent. Technology sales were up, but video game sales did not perform to expectations. HMV is currently saddled with £160 million worth of debt.

"HMV is currently making a number of organisational changes to some of its head office departments with the key aim of delivering greater customer focus, increased synergies within departmental teams and a more effective multi-channel approach across the business," said the company in a statement."This will involve a small number of people leaving the business, although some new roles are being created as well.

"Further details will be announced shortly, but HMV can confirm that as part of this process it has decided to bring together its technology and games buying teams within the Commercial department, which will now be headed by Ewan Pinder in the new role of Head of Technology and Games. As a result of these changes Tim Ellis is unfortunately leaving the business, though he will depart with our very best wishes and our profound thanks for his huge commitment and contribution to HMV over many years."

HMV isn't the only struggling games retailer on the High Street. GAME also had a poor Christmas, with sales down 15 per cent and the company admitting it may struggle to meet banking covenants.