Ukie, the association for the UK's interactive entertainment industry, has announced its selection of Nick Poole as the incoming CEO, succeeding Dr. Joe Twist. Nick Poole brings a wealth of experience, having served as the CEO at CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, for eight years. With a robust two-decade history in CEO positions, Poole is poised to step into his new role on April 1, 2024.

The transition follows Dr. Joe Twist's announcement of her departure earlier this year, with interim CEOs Sam Collins and Dan Wood overseeing the role until Poole assumes his position. Poole's expertise lies in driving growth and transformation within professional membership associations, with a notable focus on governmental engagement and fostering mission and purpose.

Prior to his tenure at CILIP, Nick Poole held the position of CEO at the Collections Trust, where he successfully secured £70 million in government funding, significantly expanding membership and tripling income. His strategic leadership at CILIP transformed the professional body into a pivotal resource for the libraries and information sector. Under his guidance, CILIP's membership grew to include 10,000 paying members, 161 institutional members, and 19 university partners in the UK and internationally. Poole spearheaded initiatives to diversify the membership group, promoting gender balance and offering dedicated programs for those from BAME and LGBTQ+ communities.

Beyond his professional achievements, Poole is a fervent believer in the power of games. Ukie's official release emphasizes his firsthand experience with the transformative impact of video games on people's lives. Poole's journey into coding began with programming games, and he has commissioned games for educational purposes. His involvement with Ukie’s Digital Schoolhouse and plans to extend this initiative across libraries underscore his commitment to leveraging the potential for growth in the gaming sector.

In expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Nick Poole highlighted his excitement about leading Ukie at a pivotal moment for the UK's video games and interactive entertainment industry. Recognizing the UK's position as home to some of the world's most creative and dynamic video game companies, Poole stressed the need for the industry, valued at over £7 billion per annum, to be acknowledged. Not only as an economic powerhouse but also as a vital driver of education, creativity, and innovation.

Tim Woodley, Ukie Chair, remarked on the significance of fresh leadership for Ukie, indicating that the organization's structure had remained largely unchanged despite the industry's substantial growth. After an extensive six-month selection process, Ukie is confident that Nick Poole brings the right combination of CEO experience, growth-driving capabilities, lobbying expertise, and a keen sense of how to lead an organization. Poole has a keen sense of how to lead an organization with a mission, purpose, and commitment to equality.

Nick Poole expressed his eagerness to contribute to the growth and recognition of the UK’s video games and interactive entertainment industry. His passion for gaming, including favorites like Minecraft, the Halo series, and Fallout 4, aligns with his vision of video games as a serious business with immense potential for education, creativity, and innovation. As he takes on the role of CEO at Ukie, Poole aims to leverage his experience in growing professional membership associations and government liaison to secure the industry's well-deserved recognition and investment.

Source: adapted from an article by Daniel Griffiths, Editor for Pocket Gamer.