Jobs Roundup: May 2024 | Room 8 Group names Laura Lilley as COO
Update: Astragon Entertainment hires Jan Kuhlmann, Space Ace promotes Derek De Filippo to head of business
It can be difficult keeping track of the various comings and goings in the games industry, which is why we compile them in semi-regular round-ups.
If you have new appointments or transitions in your company that belong here, please send the names of the appointees, new role and company, and prior role and company to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
Sandsoft announced duo appointments
Sandsoft has expanded its team with two new hirings.
Javi San Juan has been hired on as lead game designer for its Barcelona studio.
Prior to this, he worked as senior game designer at Tripledot Studios.
Meanwhile, Saad Alshmrani has joined as a marketing artist at Sandsoft's Riyadh office.
Before his new position, he worked as an animator at security and investigations firm SAFE.
Jan Kuhlmann | Head of marketing, Astragon Entertainment
Astragon Entertainment has appointed Jan Kuhlmann as its head of marketing.
Kuhlmann brings with him experience that includes working at Xsolla for two years. Kuhlmann last served as its business development director in Germany.
He also worked for Ubisoft for eight years, joining the firm in 2013 as a trade marketing coordinator. Climbing the company ranks, Kuhlmann held the role of senior brand manager before departing.
"We are delighted to have gained Jan Kuhlmann, a marketing expert with a wealth of experience in the games industry," said Astragon Entertainment co-CEO Julia Pfiffer.
"We value his many years of expertise, which he has been able to demonstrate in his various positions."
Derek De Filippo | Head of business development, Space Ape
Space Ape has named Derek De Filippo its new business development and publishing head.
He previously served as marketing lead of Chrome Valley Customs at the game studio.
De Filippo's professional history includes a four-year stint as an App Store business manager for games in the UK and Ireland. He also worked for Mediatonic Games for a year as its business development manager.
In a social media announcement of his appointment, De Filippo said, "I'm Excited to share that I'm starting a new position as Head of BD & Publishing at Space Ape Games! I'll be setting up a new department and working across all of our great games."
Limbic Entertainment unveils new appointments
Limbic Entertainment, a subsidiary of Namco Europe, has announced a series of new appointments.
Joining its senior team is Janine Bertet as principal concept artist. Martin Hamberger was hired as senior writer and level designer at the firm.
Limbic also added Frieder Mielke on as its new senior programmer.
Meanwhile, Matthias Kraut joined on as communications lead. Aswarth Sadhu, who steps into the role of senior animator, rounds out the senior appointments.
The firm also had a number of junior hirings. Alexandre Marti was appointed as junior gameplay programmer.
Ali Abdat was hired on as junior programmer, while Amr Hamed was named junior game programmer. Lastly, Timo Frischhut joined Limbic as a junior QA tester.
Laura Lilley | Chief operating officer, Room 8 Group
Room 8 Group has hired Laura Lilley as its new chief operating officer.
Throughout her professional career, she's held executive positions across multiple firms.
Before her hiring, she worked as interim chief operating officer at Naked Wines.
Lilley was also the global chief operating officer at Finecast for a year. She worked at KPMG UK for nine years, last serving as head of transformation.
"I'm delighted to join Room 8 Group and have the opportunity to be part of their exciting journey in shaping the modern games industry through co-development. I look forward to working with such a strong team," she said.
Johan Gästrin | Chief technology officer, Resolution Games
Johan Gästrin has been appointed as chief technology officer at Resolution Games.
He originally joined the developer back in 2021 as head of technology.
Gästrin brings with him experience that includes a four-year stint at King. He last held the role of product manager technical platform.
"With the shifting landscape toward spatial computing and mixed reality being a more prominent thing than ever before, we are thrilled to have Johan Gästrin's breadth of technological prowess leading the company in these efforts," said Resolution Games CEO Tommy Palm.
Skybound Entertainment adds executive duo
Skybound Entertainment has made new appointments to its leadership team.
Gregg Sulak has been named chief financial officer of the entertainment firm. Sulak previously worked at Wondery in the same position.
His career includes a seven-year stint at Machinima, where he last served as VP of financial planning and analysis.
Meanwhile, Will Kassoy has joined as head of consumer strategy. He formerly served as president of Omaze.
Kassoy's professional history includes working at AdColony for six years as CEO.
"Gregg's expertise is pivotal as we actively increase M&A and IP development, while Will's background in cultivating long-term fan loyalty lies at the core of Skybound's DNA," said Skybound CEO David Alpert.