Tiga's new CEO unveiled at 2007 Awards Dinner
31st January 2008 - The new CEO of Tiga was unveiled at the trade body's annual awards dinner last night, with Richard Wilson taking up the position as of March.
Ian Baverstock, Chairman of Tiga, said: "The appointments board was unanimous in selecting Richard for the post. He, like our current CEO Fred Hasson, has no previous games industry experience but has an impressive Public Affairs background and is understands issues relating to industrial sectors. We think he has the right qualities to build on Tiga's achievements to date and take the organisation forward"
Outgoing CEO Fred Hasson added: "We think Richard will be good for Tiga and more importantly the industry. There is still a massive job to be done in impressing on the public and the government of the significance and importance of the industry and its potential as part of a modern knowledge based economy. I urge the industry to support him and Tiga to continue to promote the best interests of the development industry"
Commenting on his new role, Wilson said "I am delighted to have been appointed CEO of Tiga. It is a lean, innovative and effective trade association that does a magnificent job in serving the interests of UK games developers. Fred Hasson has been an outstanding CEO and it is an honour to follow him in this role." He continued "I am looking forward to campaigning vigorously on behalf of Tiga members, further enhancing Tiga's effectiveness and raising the profile of the UK games development sector."
The games development sector is one of the UK's major economic success stories, with record sales in 2007. 59% of the population play computer games and the UK is the fourth largest developer of games in the world in terms of revenue generation. Games developers contribute 30% of the country's media exports and the development side of industry directly employs nearly 9,000 highly skilled and creative people in about 160 studios all over the country.
For further information please contact
Keef Sloan
Peppermint P
e: keef@peppermintp.co.uk
t: 07973 614302
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-- About Tiga --
Tiga is the national trade association representing the business and commercial interests of games software developers in the UK and Europe. Tiga's key objective is to keep its members at the heart of the global games industry by helping to create a successful business environment for them and by representing their interests to Government, Europe, and financiers. To this end Tiga has 2 principle roles:
To interface with Government departments and Ministers (as well as Europe) on all issues that affect the overall wellbeing of the sector - Tiga has relations with BERR, Treasury, Inland Revenue, UKTI, DCMS, DIUS, and the Home Office; we encourage a strong partnership between government and industry, and To develop economic development strategies for the sector that make the UK the place of choice to do 'games' business; we aim to get UK development back into 3rd place and keep it one of the top most important global centres, alongside the US and Japan.-- About Richard Wilson --
Richard's favourite games are 'Rise of Nations' and the 'Age of Empires' series.
Richard was previously Director of Communications at the Royal Academy of Engineering (2006 - 2008). As Director of Communications he had responsibility for the management of the Communications Department, the Academy's public and media relations, the development and delivery of the Academy's publications, the design and delivery of the Academy's programme of events and oversight of its awards portfolio. He was also Secretary of the Associate Parliamentary Engineering Group.
Richard was Head of Business Policy at the Institute of Directors (IoD) between 1998 and 2006. Here he played an important part in the work and management of the IoD's Policy Unit. He authored numerous policy papers, delivered keynote speeches and was a regular media spokesman.
Prior to joining the IoD, Richard worked at the Conservative Research Department (1996 - 1998), where he provided support for Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet Ministers and MPs. Between 1995 and 1996 Richard worked as a political researcher for Andrew Lansley (now the Shadow Secretary of State for Health) and co-authored the book Conservatives and the Constitution.
Richard was an independent director of the board of 'Improve', the Sector Skills Council for the food and drink industry between 2004 and 2007. He was also a non-executive director of the Adult Learning Inspectorate from 2005 to 2007. From 2004 to 2006 Richard was Chairman of the Better Payment Practice Group, a public-private partnership that aims to improve the payment culture amongst businesses in the UK. Richard is currently a member of Edexcel's Qualifications Committee.
Richard was educated at Reading University, where he gained a Ph.D. in political theory. He is a member of both the Institute of Directors and of the Chartered Management Institute.
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This press release was issued by Peppermint P - the Development Industry's specialist PR agency. Find out more at: www.peppermintp.co.uk
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