It can be difficult keeping track of the various comings and goings in the games industry, which is why we compile them in semi-regular round-ups.
If you have new appointments or transitions in your company that belong here, please send the names of appointees, new role and company, and prior role and company to [email protected].
Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott voted chair of UKIE
Playstack CEO and founder Harvey Elliott has been appointed chair of UKIE. Elliott succeeds Ustwo Games CEO Maria Sayans, who served as UKIE chair since 2024.
Elliott joined the UKIE board in 2025, and in his new position will lead the organisation as it delivers its five-year Supercharged strategy to “support games businesses and strengthen the economic, cultural, and global impact of UK games.”
“The UK has everything it needs to remain one of the best places in the world to build games businesses,” said Elliott. “We have extraordinary creative and technical talent, globally recognised studios and a long history of producing games and intellectual property that reach audiences around the world.”
“We are also at an inflexion point, the industry has changed in the last few years and we have a real opportunity to build on the strengths that have made the UK a world leader, while ensuring the next generation for games businesses can thrive.”
Elliott concluded: “I look forward to working with Nick, the Board and our members to build on the achievements of Supercharged, renew our support for the industry and bring businesses together around a shared ambition for the future.”
Steel City Interactive appoints Murray Pannell as head of publishing
Murray Pannell has been appointed head of publishing at Steel City Interactive. Pannell previously held SVP and CMO roles at Build a Rocket Boy, PlayFusion, and Everreach.
Pannell also held marketing director positions at Ubisoft and PlayStation, and was VP Publishing Europe for 2K. He worked in senior management roles at Electronic Arts and Xbox.
“We have incredibly high ambitions and expectations for Undisputed 2, and hiring someone of Murray’s calibre is a real statement of intent,” said Tim Coupe, VP of Studio at Steel City Interactive.
“Murray will lead our publishing efforts and join a growing team of renowned industry talent, energised and focused on Steel City’s vision to set the benchmark for authenticity, artistry, and evolution in interactive sports.”
Dean Anderson joins MV&P as partner to lead partnerships and go-to-market across APAC region
Dean Anderson has joined partner-led firm MV&P to lead partnerships at go-to-market across the APAC region.
Anderson previously served as group commercial director at Dialect. He has worked with Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Saber Interactive, and THQ Nordic across launches, brand integrations, and partnership deals.
“Dean has spent his career on the commercial side of gaming, and what stands out is his range,” said Mike Petricevic, partner, MV&P. “He has sold agency work, built and funded his own product, and taken games into new markets. At MV&P, one partner owns the problem and stays with it through delivery. Dean has worn enough hats to do that brilliantly, and he opens up a whole new region for us.”
Code Wizards Group appoints Catherine Bygrave as head of commercial
Catherine Bygrave has been appointed head of commercial at Code Wizards Group.
Bygrave previously served as business development director at Sumo Games, and spent a decade at Activision working across Call of Duty and Destiny. She also held senior commercial and strategic roles at Gfinity, Humble Games, and Sumo Digital.
“I have followed Code Wizards over my career and have always admired the team’s ethos and performance,” said Bygrave. “I am excited to be part of the team and support the business in its next phase”
Code Wizards Group CEO Stuart Muckley added: “I’m so excited to have Catherine joining our leadership team. The games industry has been changing over the last few years and Catherine is the perfect person to help Code Wizards Group reach the next level.”
Michał Platkow-Gilewski promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red
Michał Platkow-Gilewski has been promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red.
Platkow-Gilewski joined CD Projekt Red as head of marketing in 2011, holding positions as head of global communications, director of public relations and global communication, and VP of PR and communication.
Daniel Smith | Executive producer, Playground Games
Daniel Smith has been appointed executive producer at Playground Games.
Smith previously served as executive producer at Turn 10 Studios, overseeing large-scale product development and production operations.
He also worked as a senior producer and games producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing for nine years, managing the Xbox publishing portfolio.
Gero Micciché | Lead producer, 2K and Hangar 13 Games
Gero Micciché has been appointed lead producer at 2K and Hangar 13 Games.
Micciché previously worked as development director on Battlefield at Criterion Games, and held development director and producer roles at Electronic Arts, Codemasters, and Gameloft.
Bloober Team appoints Tymon Smektala as executive producer of Broken Mirror Games
Bloober Team has appointed Tymon Smektala as executive producer at its curated horror imprint Broken Mirror Games.
Smektala previously worked at Technland for 13 years, with his latest position being franchise director. He joined Techland in 2013 as a game designer.
“After more than 13 years at Techland, I’m taking on a new challenge: leading the imprint, shaping its creative direction and portfolio, and working with talented external studios to bring new perspectives on horror in gaming,” said Smektala.
Vik Agarwal | Product team, Roblox
Vik Agarwal has joined Roblox’s product team.
Agarwal was previously product leader at Meta, and lead product manager at Zynga. He also held product manager roles at Electronic Arts and Amazon Game Studios.
Daniel Loane | Principal game designer, Zynga
Daniel Loane has been appointed principal game designer at Zynga.
Loane previously served as senior game designer at Fortis Games. He also held senior roles at ZeniMax Online Studios, NetherRealm Studios, and King.