Gameopolis x Irwin Mitchell: Fireside chat with Team 17 CEO

Irwin Mitchell welcomed the key players in the video games and interactive entertainment community to the Town Hall events space in our Manchester office, for another excellent Gameopolis industry get-together.

With over 90 attendees, our event was at capacity as our guests were provided with a brilliant evening of fireside chats, panel discussions, and a great networking opportunity with games industry professionals from studios large and small.

To start the evening, industry heavyweight Michael Pattison, the CEO of one of the UK’s leading video games companies, Team 17, joined us for a fireside chat to share his experiences of his career within the gaming industry, as well as life at Team 17.

He spoke candidly with our compere and Director of the games marketing consultancy Hey Stephen Hey, Stephen Hey, where they discussed some of the alternative ways of entering the industry. Michael’s passion for games development was clear as he explained how the ‘indie spirit at Team 17’ is the driving force behind the studio’s fantastic team which help developers from all around the world bring their games to market.

We also heard from our panel of recruitment experts, whose keen eye for talent is helping businesses within the industry to place candidates in a range of technical, creative and analytical roles that are increasingly difficult to fill.

Liz Prince, Business Manager of recruitment consultancy Amiqus, Matt Knott, Development Director of Nequinox, and Team 17’s HR Director, Lauren Baldwin, each shared their professional and personal insights into what organisations in the industry are looking for and how to effectively find, retain and advance brilliant people to get the right teams in place. Their insight was really valuable.

They emphasised the importance of securing talent from all backgrounds, and spoke  of the measures they are putting in place to ensure that candidates from all walks of life are given the opportunity to enter the gaming world and the equal chance to express themselves creatively within their roles. Their appreciation and open-mindedness that this is an ever-changing industry, with talent being found in all areas, shows the commitment of games businesses in promoting diversity and flexibility in the workplace.

During the packed schedule we also welcomed speakers, including Sandy Lindsay MBE, who, as well as being the chair of one of the UK’s leading integration communication consultancies in Tangerine PR,  is also the Director of The Juice Academy. The Juice Academy is the UK’s first ever industry-led digital apprenticeship provider, which sources and nurtures budding talent in the digital and creative sphere across the UK, and in particular in the North West.

Simon Benson, Director of Immersive Technology for HOST Salford also gave an insight into his expertise in real-time interactive and Metaverse development, as well as key events and training opportunities for those wishing to engage in the cyber community.

We wrapped up the event with food, drinks and networking which went on late into the evening. Thank you to everyone who attended. We look forward to seeing you at the next Gameopolis event.

If you would like to find out more about this and similar events please contact us.