European Games Developer Federation Announces New 2026‑28 Board, Hendrik Lesser Re‑elected as President

The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) has confirmed that its leadership for the 2026‑2028 term will include a refreshed board of directors, and that Hendrik Lesser has secured a second term as the federation’s president. Lesser’s re‑election signals continuity at the helm of an organisation that is positioning itself as a central advocate for Europe’s rapidly expanding game‑development sector. Two prominent figures stepped away from the board at the close of the previous term.

David Rabineau, the chief executive officer of Homo Ludens, and Gediminas Tarasevicius, the studio director of No Brakes Games, both announced their departures, creating space for new voices and expertise to shape the federation’s strategic direction. The newly appointed board members bring a diverse mix of industry experience, ranging from studio operations to policy advocacy and event organisation. The roster now includes: - **Martine Spaans** – currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Fourth Moon Games and also holding the position of General Manager at the Dutch Games Association.

Spaans’ dual roles give her insight into both the commercial and organisational facets of the European gaming landscape. - **KooPee Hiltunen** – Director of the Neogames Finland Association, where she has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among Finnish developers and promoting the country’s reputation as a hub for innovative game design.

- **Per Strömbäck** – A board member of the Gaming Culture Foundation and a participant in the Stockholm Region Business Council, Strömbäck contributes a strong background in cultural policy and regional economic development. - **Hrvoje Mitic** – Head of Business Development at GamesCo., Secretary‑General of the Croatian Game Development Alliance, and founder of Splitscreen Croatia. Mitic’s experience spans business growth, industry networking, and the promotion of Croatia’s emerging game‑development ecosystem. - **Jakub Marszalkowski** – Leader of the Games Industry Conference, co‑founder and board member of the Indie Games Poland Foundation.

His work focuses on nurturing indie talent and creating platforms for knowledge exchange across Central and Eastern Europe. - **Vanessa Kaplan** – Director General of the Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo, the French national union representing video‑game professionals, where she has championed policy reforms and workforce development. Together, this board is tasked with implementing EGDF’s two‑year agenda, which centres on creating a clear “route to the top of the value chain” for European developers.

In practical terms, this means the federation will work to lower barriers that prevent studios—especially smaller and independent ones—from accessing the resources they need to scale up. Key focus areas include: 1.

**Enhanced Funding Pathways** – EGDF plans to liaise with EU funding bodies, national ministries, and private investors to streamline grant applications and improve the visibility of financing programmes tailored to game development. By acting as an intermediary, the federation hopes to reduce the administrative burden on studios and accelerate the flow of capital into promising projects. 2.

**Talent Acquisition and Retention** – Recognising that a skilled workforce is the backbone of any thriving industry, EGDF will launch initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between education providers and employers. This includes expanding apprenticeship schemes, supporting university curricula that reflect current industry needs, and facilitating cross‑border mobility for specialists such as programmers, artists, and designers. 3. **Skill Development and Upskilling** – The federation intends to organise workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship programmes that focus on emerging technologies, best‑practice production pipelines, and business acumen.

By offering continuous learning opportunities, EGDF aims to keep European studios competitive on a global stage. The organization’s public statements underline a broader mission: to monitor and nurture the European game‑industry ecosystem, deepen collaboration with development studios across the continent, and raise the profile of European games worldwide. In a rapidly globalising market, these objectives are designed to ensure that European creators retain a strong voice and can compete with major North American and Asian publishers.

A particularly forward‑looking element of EGDF’s strategy is its commitment to artificial intelligence. The federation acknowledges that the gaming sector is often at the forefront of AI adoption, using machine‑learning tools for everything from procedural content generation to player‑behavior analytics. EGDF has set an ambitious goal of becoming the first AI‑centric European trade association, which will involve establishing ethical guidelines, promoting research collaborations, and facilitating the integration of AI technologies in a responsible manner.

In parallel with these strategic moves, EGDF recently partnered with Video Games Europe (VGE) to release the “European Video Game Industry Insights Report 2024.” The report provides a snapshot of the sector’s economic impact, revealing that European game companies generated approximately €24 billion in turnover during 2024. The industry now comprises more than 6,600 studios, collectively employing over 95,000 individuals across a wide range of roles—from creative design to marketing and support services. These figures illustrate the sector’s robust growth and its importance as a driver of employment and innovation within the European economy. The insights from the report will inform EGDF’s policy advocacy, helping the federation to argue for supportive legislation, tax incentives, and infrastructure investments that benefit developers of all sizes.

Looking ahead, the newly constituted board will convene regularly to assess progress against these goals, engage with member studios, and adapt the federation’s initiatives to evolving market conditions. By combining seasoned leadership with fresh perspectives, EGDF aims to solidify Europe’s reputation as a fertile ground for creative, technically sophisticated, and commercially successful video games. In summary, the re‑election of Hendrik Lesser and the appointment of a diverse, experienced board mark a pivotal moment for the European Games Developer Federation. With a clear focus on funding access, talent development, skill enhancement, and AI integration, the federation is poised to support developers in navigating the complex value chain of the modern gaming industry, while also championing the region’s collective visibility on the world stage.