June 2023 Gaming Industry Appointments: Key Hires and Promotions

Staying on top of the latest moves in the gaming industry can be a challenge, which is why we've compiled the key appointments and transitions from June 2023. If your company has any new hires or promotions to share, please submit the details to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Recently, Maximum Entertainment appointed Deborah Bellangé as its new Chief Financial Officer, bringing over 20 years of financial leadership experience across media, technology, and entertainment. Bellangé previously served as CFO at Groupe Exaprobe and Focus Entertainment. Maximum Entertainment's CEO, Christina Seelye, stated that Bellangé has the ideal profile and experience to help drive the company's growth. The company's executive leadership team now includes Christina Seelye (CEO), Deborah Bellangé (CFO), Thierry Bonnefoi (COO), and Ludvig Lindberg (Deputy CEO and Chief of Staff). Kwalee has hired Adrian Garton as its Vice President of HR, tasked with streamlining the hiring process and expanding internships and apprenticeships. Garton brings over 25 years of HR experience, having worked at PPL PRS and Hinduja Global Solutions. He aims to foster an inclusive and innovative work culture at Kwalee. Keywords Studios has appointed Robert Kingston as its new Chief Financial Officer, who previously held the same role at Flutter Entertainment. Kingston has over 26 years of experience in the media industry, including a stint at Sky. He expressed excitement about joining Keywords Studios, citing its dynamic and entrepreneurial nature. Sony has hired Pamela Iluore as Senior Game Product Manager at PlayStation Studios, who previously worked at EA and GoldieBlox. Iluore shared her career philosophy on LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of playing to one's strengths. Arctic7 has formed a new commercial division, with Bill Anker appointed as Vice President of Business Development for North America and The Americas, Damien Urvois as Senior Director of Business Development for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and Alex Cook as Senior Director of Business Development for the UK and Europe. Anya Melamed has been appointed Director of Commercial Operations, while Andrew Amato will serve as Business Development Manager for Narwhal Studios. Kirk Scott has joined Pingle as Vice President of Publisher and Developer Relations, bringing over 25 years of experience in the gaming industry, including stints at Nintendo of America, Amazon, and PopCap. Fingersoft has appointed Annika Suni as its new Chief Financial Officer, who brings over 20 years of experience in advertising, production, and tech. Suni is eager to learn the specifics of the gaming industry and contribute to Fingersoft's growth. Exient has appointed Christa Agius as Chief Operating Officer, who will oversee studio operations and talent recruitment. Agius previously worked as a product director at the company and has experience at ProductTank Media, Catena Media, and Finixio. Exient CEO Julian Jones praised Agius's instrumental role in the company's success. Ali Payne has joined Honest PR as its new PR Director, previously working at Deep Silver and Premier PR. Payne expressed her excitement about joining the agency, citing its values of truthfulness, plain-speaking, and hard work. Several other appointments have been made across the industry, including Tegan Curewen as QA Lead at Sumo Sheffield, Jason Lee as Project Design Director at Sumo Nottingham, and Carlos Ulloa as Technical Art Director at Sumo Sheffield.