Blitz Games appoints new financial director

Independent videogames developer Blitz Games has announced the appointment of Richard Smithies to the role of finance director/CFO, giving him full responsibility for all financial and legal dealings for the firm.

Smithies, who has known and advised the company since its inception in 1990, joined Blitz Games in 2004 and will continue in his role as head of the company's game-based training, visualisation and learning division, TruSim.

A chartered banker with extensive experience in debt, equity and corporate finance, Smithies has previously served as head of acquisitions and private equity for a top UK accounting firm, served in the US corporate banking sector for five years and spent several years as director of the global high technologies group of the investment banking division of one of the top UK clearing banks.

"I'm extremely pleased to take this position within Blitz at such an exciting time for the company," Smithies commented. "New business areas and the transition to next generation video game platforms bring challenges and opportunities which we are more than ready to tackle."

"We're delighted to have Richard on board. His knowledge, experience and sheer energy and enthusiasm is a huge asset for us," added Phillip Oliver, Blitz Games co-founder and managing director.

Blitz Games was founded in 1990 by games industry veterans Phillip and Andrew Oliver. Based in Leamington-Spa, the company currently boasts 160 staff and three distinct divisions catering for the general games market, the serious games and training simulation sector and a new publishing label for games with mature content. The company is currently hiring in all areas of the business as Blitz Games continues its development of both current and next-generation console titles.