TIGA, the network for game developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the UK games industry, is delighted to report that its CEO, Dr Richard Wilson, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year 2018 Honours List.
Richard has served as CEO of TIGA since March 2008. His overriding aim has been to make the UK the best place in the world to develop games. Richard played a critical and leading role in the successful campaign for, and design of, Video Games Tax Relief, a measure which is enabling the video games industry to grow 7 per cent per annum. Richard has also: transformed the industry’s media and political profile; introduced the TIGA University Accreditation system; grown the TIGA Games Industry Awards into a spectacular annual event; transformed TIGA into a growing, profitable, and successful business; and won 24 awards and commendations.
Richard also serves as a director of Creative Skillset’s Video Games Skills Council; is a director of the European Game Developers’ Federation; is a Visiting Professor at the University of Portsmouth; and is a Vice-President of the charity SpecialEffect.
Jason Kingsley OBE, TIGA Chairman and CEO and Creative Director at Rebellion, said:
“Richard has made an outstanding contribution to both TIGA and to the UK video games industry. Since his appointment as CEO of TIGA in 2008, Richard has played a crucial role in developing ideas and campaigning for policies that are driving growth in the video games industry, including improved R&D Tax Credits, a Prototype Fund, and an expansion of the Shortage Occupation List. Above all, Richard led the campaign for Video Games Tax Relief and played the decisive role in achieving it. Video Games Tax Relief is creating hundreds of studios, thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of investment in our sector.
“Richard has decisively raised the profile of our industry in the mainstream media and in political circles, not least by instigating the establishment of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Computer and Video Games Industry in Westminster and in his numerous meetings with MPs, Special Advisers and policy makers.
“Richard is helping to educate the next generation of games developers. He introduced TIGA’s University Accreditation System to promote best practice in higher education and to identify the best games courses for students and employers. He has also helped to professionalise the industry by publishing best practice information and advice, delivering business conferences, and recognising excellence via the sensational annual TIGA Games Industry Awards.
“As CEO of TIGA, Richard has delivered 9 years of profitable growth, won 24 business awards and commendations and been awarded Investors in People status three times. This is a well-deserved honour and I am delighted that Richard has been recognised for his outstanding work for TIGA and for the UK video games industry.”
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“I am grateful, honoured and delighted to have been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year 2018 Honours List. It is a privilege to serve as CEO of TIGA. I would like to thank the TIGA Board, the TIGA team, and the TIGA network for giving me the opportunity to serve the video games industry. At TIGA, my focus, objective and ambition has been to make the UK the best place in the world to develop games. I would like to thank those MPs, civil servants and policy makers who have worked with me over the years to have an impact and influence on policy and so strengthen our industry.
“I hope to continue to change, improve and enhance the environment for our sector in order to benefit TIGA members, the games industry and the wider UK economy.”
Damian Collins MP, Chairman of the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said:
“Richard has campaigned relentlessly for Video Games Tax Relief over many years and played a critical role in convincing first the UK Government to adopt this measure and then enabling the Government to make a successful case for Games Tax Relief to the EU Commission. Richard’s successful campaign for Games Tax Relief is benefiting both the games industry and the wider economy: the sector is growing at an annual rate of 7 per cent and employment in the sector is at an all-time high. Richard is also strengthening the supply of good quality graduates for the industry through his introduction of the TIGA University Accreditation System, while his establishment of the TIGA Games Industry Awards is helping to showcase best practice throughout the sector. I am delighted that Richard’s contribution to the success of the UK video games industry – one of our most important creative sectors – has been recognised in the New Year 2018 Honours List.”
Justin Tomlinson MP, said:
“Richard has done a consistently good job of spreading awareness of the UK video games industry at Westminster and elevating the industry’s standing in Whitehall. Richard played the leading role in campaigning for Video Games Tax Relief, a measure which is enabling the industry to grow by 7 per cent per annum. I’m pleased to have been able to work with Richard to deliver Games Tax Relief and to support an industry that I care passionately about and I’m delighted that Richard’s hard work has been recognized in the New Year 2018 Honours List.”
Nigel Huddleston MP, said:
“Richard has campaigned tenaciously to advance the UK video games industry over many years and has achieved great successes in the process. Richard’s successful campaign for Games Tax Relief is driving growth in the sector. His work in establishing the TIGA University Accreditation System is helping to prepare the next generation of UK games developers. Richard’s introduction of the TIGA Games Industry Awards is helping to showcase best practice and success across the industry. Richard’s honour is very well deserved and I am really pleased to see Richard’s hard and effective work recognised in the in the New Year 2018 Honours List.”
Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, said:
“As a Treasury Minister I listened to Richard’s persuasive arguments on behalf of TIGA in favour of Video Games Tax Relief. We were convinced, and – apart from a hiccup after 2010 – the relief has delivered a lasting boost to the UK video games industry, helping drive growth across the sector. Richard’s introduction of the TIGA University Accreditation System is also helping to encourage best practice in higher education, recognising the best games courses for students and employers. I warmly congratulate Richard on this well-deserved honour.”
Lord Don Foster of Bath, commented:
“I would like to congratulate Richard on this well-deserved honour. Richard is having a real impact on the success of one of our key creative industries. I have witnessed Richard campaign effectively, tirelessly and convincingly for a Video Games Tax Relief over many years and this important measure is now increasing employment, investment and studio creation throughout the UK video games industry. Richard has also made great and successful efforts to raise the profile of the video games sector in Parliament and in Government, while his introduction of a TIGA University Accreditation System is helping to bring industry and academia together and to promote good games courses.”
About TIGA
TIGA is a not for profit network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry. Since 2010, TIGA has won 24 business awards and commendations, an achievement which demonstrates our drive to meet and to exceed best practice. TIGA focuses on three sets of activities:
- political representation;
- profile raising; and
- business services.
This means that TIGA members’ voices are heard in the corridors of power and positively represented in the international, national, regional and trade media. TIGA’s activities also serve to enhance the competitiveness of our members by providing benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.
Get in touch:
- Tel: 0845 468 2330
- Email: info@tiga.org
- Web: www.tiga.org
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/tigamovement
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TIGAMovement
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/tiga
- Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO: richard.wilson@tiga.org