Meet the 2026 Ensemble Cohort: Celebrating Diverse Talent in the UK Games Industry

The London Games Festival has unveiled this year's Ensemble exhibition lineup, featuring a talented group of Black, Asian, and other underrepresented ethnic creatives in the UK games industry. Now in its eighth year, the Ensemble initiative, curated by author and artistic director Sharna Jackson, aims to challenge perceptions, amplify emerging voices, and inspire a new generation of diverse talent in the industry. The exhibition is led by Games London, with support from the Mayor of London, and will be showcased in Trafalgar Square on April 13. This year's cohort of eight will also be featured at New Game Plus on April 16, followed by a nationwide tour. The 2026 Ensemble cohort includes a range of accomplished individuals, such as game director and indie developer HaZ Dulull, BAFTA-nominated writer and narrative designer Charlie Webb, and game lead at Supercell Charmie Kim. Other notable members of the cohort are Deanne Pierre-Pacquette, founder of global content creator agency Beyond; Sara Veal, chair of GamesAid and founder of Huhbub; Harun Ali, indie developer and game development tutor; Jennifer Estaris, creative director and founder of Estaris Works; and Christopher White, managing director at Sharks Swim Backwards and games audio specialist. According to Jackson, "The UK games industry is home to a wealth of vibrant and essential talent from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. It's essential that we celebrate and support this talent, not just as a gesture, but as a fundamental requirement for building a stronger, more imaginative, and more globally relevant industry."