UKIE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Policy and Public Affairs Officer
As Ukie's Policy and Public Affairs Officer, I help shape the industry's future through policy papers, briefings, and plenty of tea-fuelled stakeholder chats. On top of that, I serve as the secretariat for the Video Games and Esports APPG, bringing together industry voices and Parliament to hype up our beloved sector. Always on top of the latest political happenings, I monitor developments like a hawk to keep our industry in the game. Before joining Ukie, I worked at political advisory firm Hanbury Strategy. Outside of work, you'll find me cheering on Chelsea over land and sea or eagerly anticipating the next Prime Minister's Questions.
Job Titles:
- Programme & Communications Manager
Amii is Digital Schoolhouse's Programme & Communications Manager. She is responsible for management of the Digital Schoolhouse Programme overall and for outreach to its network of schools, teachers and students.
Job Titles:
- Director of Public Policy
Job Titles:
- Head of Communications and Campaigns
I'm Ukie's Head of Communications and Campaigns. I am responsible for managing all our external communication, including press enquires, developing proactive campaigns to support the sector, and influencing change across Government. My goal is to ensure everyone knows the UK is the best place to make, play and sell games. Prior to joining Ukie, I worked at Make UK leading their policy and campaigns team, CBI managing the education and skills policy portfolio, and the National Audit Office conducting value for money studies of Government spending. When I'm not talking about the video games sector, I'm at Selhurst Park watching Crystal Palace play football.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Legal
Job Titles:
- Insight & Innovation Manager
I joined the Ukie team in 2020 and stepped up to Insight and Innovation Manager in December 2021. I oversee all of Ukie's research and data projects and represent our members wherever industry data is concerned. Talk to me about collaborating on research or any data you think the UK games industry is missing. I love a good parry in a video game and I miss the theatre since moving out of London; tryhard Street Fighter player since 2008.
I lead on special projects and esports at Ukie. I was previously Ukie's COO and Head of Public Affairs where I led our work on many of the big issues facing the games sector including getting computer science on to the national curriculum and the introduction of the video games tax relief. I led the successful bid to the GLA to create the new London Games Festival, wrote Ukie's esports Whitepaper, sit on the Women in Games Advisory Board and most recently delivered the #RaiseTheGame diversity pledge.
Job Titles:
- Policy and Public Affairs Manager
I joined Ukie in November 2022 as Policy and Public Affairs Manager and I have the honour to combine my passion for both games and policy to help the UK games industry maintain and grow its position as a global leader. I am a half-German and half-Italian specimen who has lived in the UK for over 10 years and prior to joining Ukie, I worked for various political agencies and graduated in War Studies from King's College London. In the rare instances where I am not playing Super Mario, I like to be in the gym, watch football, walk my dog, and try to understand UK politics.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Head of Policy and Public Affairs
I'm Ukie's Head of Policy and Public Affairs and I am responsible for managing our relationship with policy makers and officials across Parliament, the civil service and regulators as well as other wider bodies in the creative industries. It's my job to articulate the industry's view and achievements on a range of issues from regulation, tax and consumer affairs to skills and education. Prior to joining Ukie I worked in a public affairs agency as well as having several roles working in Parliament and for a Political Party. When I'm not at work I'm walking the dog, watching football, practising taekwondo and occasionally playing games!
I head up Ukie's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work, including administering the #RaiseTheGame pledge.
Job Titles:
- Curriculum Content Developer
I joined Ukie in 2019 and I am the Curriculum Content Developer for Ukie's flagship Digital Schoolhouse programme. I'm also a part time Computer Science teacher at Gildredge House in Eastbourne where, I was also Head of Computer Science. I also have a large Hello Kitty collection, plays the bass guitar and loves karaoke!
I'm responsible for looking after our members - from onboarding and sharing information to organising projects and events. I'm your first port of call if you want to find out about membership or you are a member and want to chat to Ukie. Before Ukie, I completed my PhD investigating the occupational community of UK video game developers with a career history of research and social media.
Job Titles:
- State of Play Games
- State of Play Games / Founder
I am Ukie's Accountant and help ensure all things financial run smoothly at Ukie.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Games Operations
I'm here to handle the day-to-day running of the Ukie office. Contact me if you have any general queries or want to make a room booking.
Job Titles:
- Membership Account Officer
I'm responsible for supporting our partner members and helping everyone to maximise the benefits of their membership, facilitating connections and strengthening ties across the industry and beyond. I'm here to understand your specific needs and promote the programmes, activities and events that will best support your objectives. Prior to Ukie, I explored the moral significance of video games as part of an MA in Contemporary Ethics. In my spare time, I can usually be found enjoying a delicious pint or on a stage brandishing my bass guitar - or doing both at once.
Job Titles:
- Programme Support Officer, Digital Schoolhouse
Working as a programme support officer for Digital Schoolhouse - I do exactly what my job title says and support the programme wherever possible alongside the team. From Ingenuity Days, social media comms & esports tournaments to internal admin, stakeholder meetings and industry events, I am proudly pushing and supporting the programme across the UK and rest of the world. In my spare time, I have founded and help to run a non-profit, community focussed group called Esports Youth Club. Safe to say I am never too far away from an esports event!
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
I've been working in IP Infringement/Content Protection since 2003 so have a wealth of knowledge on how to stop IP theft. Work closely with other creative sectors to ensure the UK is leading the fight against infringing sites so get in touch if you want to know more about how we can help.
Job Titles:
- Sumo Group Operations Director
Sam Collins - Chief Commercial Officer
I'm the Chief Commercial Officer at Ukie, responsible for recruiting and supporting members and helping them thrive. My 25+ years industry experience includes stints at start-up developers through to international publishers working in a variety of commercial roles. My superpowers include connecting people and international trade.
Job Titles:
- Head of Education Director, Digital Schoolhouse
I've been with Ukie since 2014 and have been responsible for designing and implementing Ukie's flagship Digital Schoolhouse powered by PlayStation programme. Before this I was Head of Computing for Graveney School and am a founding board member for Computing At School; here I was an active part of shaping and writing the new National Curriculum for Computing in schools. I currently represent our industry in a range of groups including the Digital Skills Partnership - Computing in Schools Working Group.
Job Titles:
- Education Programme Coordinator
I work across Ukie's education and training initiatives, including Digital Schoolhouse and Ukie Students. I joined Ukie in April 2022 after working in theatre for over 10 years. I've worked with leading organisations in the industry, most recently drama publisher Nick Hern Books, and I am Chair of the Board of Trustees at By Jove Theatre Company. Beyond gaming and theatre, I love to bake and I'm a Japanese language student.