Team17 Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

Team17 has announced the appointment of a new CEO, with Steve Bell set to assume the role from January 1, 2024. Bell will initially join the company's board on September 4, 2023, before taking over as CEO. Current CEO Debbie Bestwick will continue in her position until the end of the year, after which she will transition into a non-executive director role. With a background in marketing, Bell has served as the CEO of global marketing agency Iris since 2010, a company he co-founded in 1999. He expressed his enthusiasm for joining Team17, citing the company's impressive track record and his eagerness to build upon its strong foundations. Bestwick welcomed Bell's appointment, highlighting his experience as a co-founder of a people-centric business and his understanding of the importance of the company's vibrant and inclusive culture. Bestwick had announced her intention to step down as CEO in March, after holding the position since 1986. Team17 has faced challenges in recent years, including the ill-fated launch of an NFT project, workplace issues, and layoffs attributed to business restructuring. Despite these setbacks, the company reported revenues of £90.5 million in 2021, representing a 9% year-on-year increase driven by strong sales of its back catalogue and new titles.