At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Director operating in the Digital Entertainment space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Renaud Di Francesco
Director – Europe Technology Standards of Sony
Renaud Di Francesco joined Sony in 1998 to develop its external R&D cooperation, then leading its first Digital Cinema project. He is now in charge of the standardisation activity for Europe, with projects involving R&D and committee contributions. His current interests include energy efficiency, network architectures, M2M, multimedia from large venue cinema to personal wrist-watch formats, Mobility, M2M, industrial Internet and real time systems, user interface and accessibility, AAL. In previous assignments, he has worked for the European Commission, coordinating the preparation of Telecom Councils of Ministers, and earlier he managed the portfolio of network management, security and e-commerce in the Advanced Communications Technologies and Services programme. He started his career as a researcher in real time detection and speech coding (PhD, patent) at France Telecom, where he then became department head for new satellite services. His next move was to develop the multi-operator projects of France Telecom in core network (SDH, IP over ATM), service (ACE2000) and R&D (Eurescom).
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About CEN and CENELEC, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Sony: Sony develops and manufactures audio, video, communications, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets.
Nick Rooke
Senior Director, Head of Global Partner Operations of Sony
Nick Rooke is the Senior Director, Head of Global Partner Operations at PlayStation
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About PlayStation, Sony: Sony develops and manufactures audio, video, communications, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets.
Sam Higginson
Group Marketing Director of Immotion Group plc
Sam has a wealth of experience in brand creation and management, strategic marketing and communications. Sam began his carrier working for global advertising giant Saatchi & Saatchi, working primarily on the client Proctor & Gamble, the world’s largest advertiser. In 2009 he joined NetPlayTV plc, an interactive TV gaming company, where he was Head of Brand Development. Strategic media partners included Sky, Freeview, Channel Five, Virgin Media Television and ITV. Having left NetPlayTV plc, Sam founded Digitalbox plc, a new generation of digital media business with an established pedigree in emerging technology, data acquisition and analysis that has been harnessed with the ability to create and curate great content to entertain and engage audiences. In 2015, Digitalbox plc was listed #68 in The Sunday Times HISCOX Tech Track 100. In 2016, Digitalbox plc was listed again at #58, placing it in Britain’s 100 fastest growing tech companies two years in a row. Sam is a Director at M Capital Investment Partners. Formed in 2010, M Capital Investment Partners manages multiple real estate investments across the UK, with a focus on delivering above average returns for investment cash with minimal risk. He also holds the position Group Brand & Marketing Director at Immotion Group plc – a business that combines award-winning CGi animation with state-of-the-art motion platform technology to deliver mind-blowing ‘out-of-home’ immersive VR experiences. Sam is a graduate of the Lancaster University Management School having gained a BSc Honours in Business & Economics.
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About Digitalbox, Immotion Group plc, M Capital Investment Partners: Immotion combine award-winning content & multi-directional motion platforms to deliver immersive VR solutions for high-traffic destinations.
David Marks
Co-founder & Group Finance Director of Immotion Group plc
David co-founded Immotion Group with Martin, and currently serves as the Group Finance Director. With a degree in Law from the University of Glasgow and membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, David’s expertise in finance is a given. He began his career conducting corporate recovery and restructure at Arthur Andersen. Since then, David has been a prominent face in corporate finance in the City of London, working with UBS, Deutsche Bank and Nikko Principal Investments. He’s overseen the rapid international expansion of Monstermob Group in Europe, the USA and Asia as Group Finance Director, and is also an executive board member at Digitalbox Group.
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About : Immotion combine award-winning content & multi-directional motion platforms to deliver immersive VR solutions for high-traffic destinations.
Antonia Bonello
Associate Creative Director of BuzzFeed
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About BuzzFeed: BuzzFeed is a cross-platform digital media company delivering news and entertainment content to a global audience.
John Jakobsen
Managing Director of Merlin Entertainments
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About Merlin Entertainments: Merlin Entertainments is the largest European entertainments company operating in Europe.
David Paice
Digital Director of Merlin Entertainments
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About Merlin Entertainments: Merlin Entertainments is the largest European entertainments company operating in Europe.
Holly Bott
Managing Director, Entertainment of James Grant Group
Holly Bott is the Managing Director, Entertainment at YMU Group.
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About James Grant Group: James Grant Group provides services for entertainment, music, sports, social talent, and literary clients.
Joyce Adeluwoye
Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion of King.com
Joyce Adeluwoye-Adams is the Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion at King. Joyce joined King in March 2018, shortly after receiving a MBE for her services to diversity in the media industry. Joyce is responsible for the delivery of King’s Diversity and Inclusion programme, ensuring that it remains a top priority for the company, whilst celebrating King’s diverse pool of talent and gamers. Joyce has worked on diversity issues for over 20 years. Prior to joining King, Joyce was Diversity Lead at the BBC for two and a half years, and before that, Head of Diversity at the Producer’s Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) for six years.
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About King.com: King.com is an interactive entertainment company that provides online games for global portals, websites, and other media companies.
Karin Bergvall
Strategy Director at Candy Crush of King.com
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About King.com: King.com is an interactive entertainment company that provides online games for global portals, websites, and other media companies.
Roberto Kusabbi
Director of Community and Social Marketing, Global of King.com
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About King.com: King.com is an interactive entertainment company that provides online games for global portals, websites, and other media companies.
Chris Ash
Founder and Business Development Director of 4ThePlayer.com
Ash Gaming / Playtech
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About 4ThePlayer.com, European Institute for Innovation: Gambling games provider – Games made by players 4ThePlayers!
Nicholas Marcq
Director of Latimer Group
Founding Director Latimer Films ltd
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About Latimer Group: Latimer works with the best in youth talent to produce cutting edge film and digital media.
Louisa Myers
Director, Legal & Business Affairs of Carnival Films
Louisa provides legal and business affairs support for Carnival, advising on the legal and commercial aspects of its development, production, ancillary rights exploitation and distribution activities. She negotiates and contracts with talent, broadcasters, financiers and distributors, as well as providing day-to-day support to production teams. Having studied law and French at the University of Strathclyde and Université Jean Moulin Lyon III, Louisa graduated with an LL.B (Hons) Law (European). After qualifying and working as a solicitor at leading Scottish commercial law firm, Maclay Murray & Spens, she moved to STV where she worked as a solicitor for its production, broadcasting and digital businesses. Louisa joined the International Television Production division of NBCUniversal in March 2011 as Manager of Legal and Business Affairs for Carnival and three other production businesses within the division. Initially working across drama, comedy, entertainment and factual genres, in 2012 Louisa’s role focussed in on Carnival.
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About Carnival Films: Carnival Films is a British television production company based in London, UK.
Gareth Neame
Managing Director of Carnival Films
Gareth Neame is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning Drama Producer and Executive, based in London. Neame is the Managing Director (CEO) of Carnival Films, the respected British production company which he sold to NBC Universal in 2008 as the cornerstone of their new international TV studios. Neame is one of the UK’s leading producers and is responsible for the global TV phenomenon, Downton Abbey and originally proposed the idea for the show to its writer Julian Fellowes. The show has won two Golden Globes, including Best Mini Series and 10 Primetime Emmy Awards, also including Best Mini Series. With a total of 39 nominations, it is the most nominated non-US show in the history of the Emmys and is one of the highest rated shows on US television. Among numerous national and international awards, the show even garnered a Guinness World Record for the highest critical review ratings for a TV show. Neame has also been recognised by The Producers Guild of America with the David L.Wolper award as outstanding producer of long-form television. Now sold to 250 territories worldwide, the fifth season will air on ITV in the autumn of 2014. Neame has also recently executive produced screen adaptations of Shakespeare’s History Plays in the mini-series The Hollow Crown, David Hare’s political thriller Page Eight, starring Bill Nighy and Rachel Weisz, Dracula for NBC and Sky, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and David Nicholls’ mini-series The 7:39 for the BBC. Carnival also produced the British Academy Award winning Best Drama Serial Any Human Heart for C4, Blake Morrison’s The Last Weekend and the popular ITV crime series Whitechapel. Carnival’s prestigious output has resulted in the company winning The Broadcast Award in 2012 and The Bulldog award in 2011 for Best Production Company. Upcoming projects include Peter Morgan’s drama The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, directed by Roger Michell and two sequels to Page Eight, Turks and Caicos and Salting the Battlefield, once again in collaboration with David Hare for the BBC, together with the fifth season of Downton Abbey. With offices in London and Los Angeles, the company is the UK’s biggest drama specialist and over the last three decades has produced many popular shows such as Hotel Babylon, Poirot, Enid, Sea of Souls, Jeeves and Wooster, As If, Rosemary & Thyme and Traffik, as well as US content such as The Philanthropist for NBC and The Grid for TNT. Other productions Neame has been responsible for at Carnival include Whistleblowers, Midnight Man and The Old Curiosity Shop. Prior to joining the company, Neame had a successful career as Head of Drama at the BBC and was instrumental in the significant growth in independent production, responsible for the development and production of a range of innovative, award-winning and popular shows such as Spooks (MI5), Bodies, Outlaws, Hustle, New Tricks, Tipping the Velvet and Clocking Off. After graduating with a degree in English and Drama in 1988, Neame worked extensively in both production and development at the BBC and as an independent producer. Neame was the Executive Producer of the multi-award winning series State of Play and other producer credits include Truth or Dare (BAFTA winner, RTS nominated), All the King’s Men, The Woman in White (BAFTA nominated), The Missing Postman (British Comedy Award winner), Station Jim, Getting Hurt, The Wyvern Mystery, Lorna Doone, Happy Birthday Shakespeare, Cambridge Spies, Take a Girl Like You, Twenty Thousand Streets under the sky (nominated for South Bank Show award), Paranoid and Peter Kosminsky’s multi award winning Warriors. Neame served on The Council of The British Academy of Film and Television Arts from 2004-06 and has spoken about the contribution of IP to the UK economy and on issues of IP piracy to the IP Alliance at The House of Commons. Gareth Neame represents the fourth generation of a remarkable dynasty that has made a significant contribution to the world of cinema and television over the past century. His great-grandparents were the society photographer and pioneer filmmaker Elwin Neame (1885-1923) and the film actress Ivy Close (1890-1968) described by The Daily Mirror as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’. His grandfather was the celebrated director, producer, cinematographer and writer Ronald Neame CBE (1911-2010), his great-uncle was the author and screenwriter Derek Neame (1915-1979) and his father was the producer and writer Christopher Elwin Neame (1942-2011).
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About Carnival Films: Carnival Films is a British television production company based in London, UK.
Giovanni Dolci
Vice President, Theatre Development and Managing Director, Europe and Africa of IMAX
Giovanni Dolci joined IMAX Corporation in October 2012 as Vice President, Theatre Development. In January 2017 he was also appointed Managing Director Europe and Africa, where he is responsible for growing and expanding the IMAX theatre network across the two continents. He previously served as Director of Business Development and Commercial Operations at Arts Alliance, where he was in charge of negotiations with cinema exhibitors and film distributors throughout EMEA to support the market’s transition to digital projection technology and where he helped establish a worldwide digital distribution platform. Prior to Arts Alliance, Giovanni Dolci worked in film financing and oversaw a number of projects based in New Zealand, Italy and the UK. He has a degree in Economics and Management from Bocconi University in Milan and an MSc in Management from Cass Business School in London. He is a Junior Fellow of the Aspen Institute Italy.
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About IMAX: IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies.
Martin Zapletal
Director of Disney Streaming Services
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About Disney Streaming Services: Disney Streaming Services offers streaming entertainment and services for sports and stories.
Brian Cuttler
Operations Director of Compact Media Group
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About Compact Media Group: Compact Media Group is a full-service intellectual property rights management company distributing royalties for TV, film and music.
Mark Carter
Commercial Director of EXCEL ESPORTS
Mark’s expertise is in delivering strategic and innovative solutions to global markets by utilizing his wealth of experience in sales, marketing, and product development within the financial and tech sectors. He has worked in the USA, Europe, and the Philippines, and is responsible for driving the global growth of fastacash. Mark was part of the team that took Skrill through two acquisitions in 2 years, resulting in the sale to Optimal Payments in August 2015 for $1bn and has been involved in both the buy and sell-side of M&A transactions. Passionate about delighting consumers whilst delivering real and tangible business benefits to clients, he has delivered business differentiating solutions to start-ups, SMEs, and global businesses. He is a weekend farmer and classic car enthusiast.
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About EXCEL ESPORTS: EXCEL ESPORTS is a competitive gaming culture brand that uses its platform to have a positive impact on the gaming and esports community.
James Kaye
Director of Big Games Machine
I’m lucky enough to have worked with some great games and tech products in the last 25 years. I like to think that with my experience (ahem, or we can call it age!) comes the ability to handle a range of challenges – from creativity around consumer game launches, albeit PC, mobile or console, through to complex strategies for our B2B clients that want to talk to the games industry. I can talk B2B or consumer for games at the drop of a hat. It’s like two sides of my brain working in tandem. I love helping people as well as giving honest, BS-free advice. I may run an agency now, but I’ve been on the other side for a lot longer. What’s usually called ‘client-side’. I’ve developed a community for BT’s first online gaming service Wireplay I’ve launched a commercial games channel for Tiscali TV. I’ve managed app launches for one of Britain’s most prominent newspapers I’ve worked for some huge companies as well as start-ups I’ve been a Product Manager, Marketing Manager and PR bod, so I understand the marketing mix I’ve driven new customer growth and increased retention I’ve had to justify the spend on content, marketing and PR. I know the frustration of fluffy results, and I know that clients are unimpressed when you have no ROI proof. Which is where my next passion was born. PR that delivers business results. Inbound leads, increased sales, market share growth. When things happen like a global pandemic or a tough competitor comes along… You need great content. You need to stand out. So you need an idea. John and I – and our loyal and hardworking, fun-loving team, come up with IDEAS. Not tiny ideas, either, whopping great big ones. So for anything PR related to the games industry – consumer or B2B then get in touch as I’m sure that we can cook up some fantastic ideas for you.
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About Big Games Machine: Specialist PR agency for the global games industry, covering consumer & B2B/corporate.
Dane Streeter
Managing Director of SharpStream
Dane Streeter is co-founder and Managing Director of SharpStream, one of the worlds leading audio streaming service and technology companies. For over a decade, Dane has provided media enterprises with service for the largest, era-defining audio streaming technologies and is responsible for the delivery of over 15 billion annual hours of digital audio content to over 35 million individuals throughout the world. Dane’s passion for audio streaming came in 2004, at the age of 16, listening to early internet broadcasts of live gigs from popular locations such as Ministry of Sound London, and A State of Trance in Holland.
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About SharpStream: SharpStream is the leading streaming platform for smart streamers…
Kevin Bone
Director of Sentiment
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About : Sentiment Engage is a cloud platform including a unified inbox for social media and messaging apps.
Paul Bourne
Artistic Director of Menagerie Theatre Company
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About Cambridge Judge Business School, Menagerie Theatre Company: Menagerie Theatre Company is an independent new writing theatre company.
Mark Mulligan
Managing Director and Analyst of MIDiA Research
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About MIDiA Research: MIDiA Research is a media and technology analysis company that offers consulting and syndicated research services.
Paul Hollywood
Product Development Director of Starship
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About Starship, vTime Limited: VR | Games | Entertainment | Lifestyle | Health
Tim Gillions
Director of Ents24
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About Ents24: Ents24 is a live entertainment website covering live music, comedy, theatre and shows.
Gavin Price
Studio and Game Director of Playtonic Games
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About Playtonic Games: Playtonic Games is an independent game developer founded by a team of veteran game designers.
Steve Mayles
Character Art Director of Playtonic Games
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About Playtonic Games: Playtonic Games is an independent game developer founded by a team of veteran game designers.
Steve Mayles
Character Art Director of Playtonic Games
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About Playtonic Games: Playtonic Games is an independent game developer founded by a team of veteran game designers.
Matt Warren
Managing Director of Warble Entertainment Agency
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About : Warble Entertainment is a UK based live entertainment booking service for weddings and events.
Tracey Warren
Managing Director of Warble Entertainment Agency
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About : Warble Entertainment is a UK based live entertainment booking service for weddings and events.
Simon Crofts
Client Services Director of Big Button Media
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About Big Button Media: Big Button Media produces films, videos, motion graphics, and animations.
Charlie Ryan
Founder & Director of Moshhh Ltd.
I’m the Founder of Giguana, a new kind of streaming service that rewards fans for supporting the bands they love. I have an 11 year background in Design and Development, and worked with a number of big name clients before joining the team at football statistics startup Squawka to build the initial product. I exited Squawka in 2014 to try and disrupt the music industry with Giguana.
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About Moshhh Ltd.: Giguana is new kind of streaming service that rewards fans for supporting the bands they love. Launching Soon!
Carl Guyenette
Creative Technology Director / Creative Director of Layered Reality
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About Layered Reality: Layered Reality is an entertainment company that uses a unique method to build experiences using three ‘layers’ of multimedia.
Justin French
CEO & Creative Director of Dream Harvest
Founder, CEO and Creative and Managing Director of Dream Harvest Games. Previously a Sound Designer, Composer, Game Designer working across AAA and Indie games. Worked at OMUK, one of the UK’s leading Dialogue production studios for the games Industry as well as working previously with their main competitor, Side (Now owned by PitStop Productions) on multiple AAA projects. Also worked extensively with several other small indie game studios in the position of sound designer, composer, game designer and project manager/producer, often all at the same time. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some incredibly talented people on some really fun projects, some released and some that unfortunately never saw the light of day. I like to wear many hats and get involved in all aspects of the game development process. Started Dream Harvest in August 2013 where I undertook the task of hiring a talented team of Developers, Designers and Artists to work on multi-platform titles. I project manage the team, creative directing the projects with the aim of hitting our vision and always trying to get the best out of the team. My ability to communicate ideas in the language understood by each discipline has given the team a strong direction and I have endeavoured to fill in the gaps of knowledge that certain team members, including myself, have by holding training days and spending time with each member on a one to one basis to cultivate their talent. http://press.dreamharvest.co.uk
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About Dream Harvest: Combining narrative storytelling with online competitive gaming.
Sebastian Thiel
Founder / Director of Upshot Entertainment
Sebastian Thiel is the Founder of Upshot Entertainment and Dope Black Art.
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About Dope Black Art, Upshot Entertainment: Upshot Entertainment is a motion pictures and film company that features an online TV channel.
Sebastian Thiel
Founder / Director of Upshot Entertainment
Sebastian Thiel is the Founder of Upshot Entertainment and Dope Black Art.
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About Dope Black Art, Upshot Entertainment: Upshot Entertainment is a motion pictures and film company that features an online TV channel.
Paul Noble
Creative Director of Spiritland
Paul Noble is Creative Director @ Spiritland.
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About Spiritland: Spiritland is a new space for listening to music, open every day from 6th October 2014 to 1st January 2015
Paul Noble
Creative Director of Spiritland
Paul Noble is Creative Director @ Spiritland.
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About Spiritland: Spiritland is a new space for listening to music, open every day from 6th October 2014 to 1st January 2015
Russel Goldsmith
Director of TRACE Creative Agency Ltd
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About TRACE Creative Agency Ltd: Creative Agency based in Margate, basically we do web design, print, marketing and photography.
