UK-based esports organisation Guild Esports has appointed Paul Kingsley as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Company Secretary.
Kingsley joins Guild having most recently worked as CFO for student discount website UNiDAYS.
Prior to his tenure at UNiDAYS, Kingsley also worked as CFO for technology company Edge.network, spent time at beverage companies Coca-Cola, Schweppes and Diageo and is currently on the Advisory Board of the British Beauty Council.
He replaces the outgoing Clare Jarvis, who previously became CFO during a round of leadership hires by the organsation in February 2023.
Kingsley joins Guild at the start of what will be an important year for the organisation. The appointment comes off the back of recently secured investments last year, including £1m raised from an unnamed esports brand. The organisation has also expanded into other esports titles such as Counter-Strike and Street Fighter.
On the commercial front, Guild went on to also secure a number of new and renewed sponsorships last year. In September 2023, the David Beckham-backed organisation expanded its partnership with telecommunications company Sky and announced a new partnership the following month with Merky FC, a venture created jointly by British rapper Stormzy and sportswear brand Adidas.
Last month, the organisation announced a new collaboration with trading platform ENDX and renewed its long-standing partnership with food sandwich franchise Subway.
On Paul Kingsley’s hire, Jasmine Skee, CEO of Guild Esports, commented: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Paul to Guild. Paul brings extensive knowledge of the media, technology and sport sectors garnered over his lengthy career.
“Paul’s 25 years of strategic financial and C-Suite experience position him as a key asset in enhancing the Guild brand and future growth. His keen understanding of the Gen Z demographic from his recent role at UNiDAYS is highly relevant to Guild as an esports-and-gaming focused media business, making him a valuable addition to our senior leadership team.”
