SPEAKERS
Wouter Sleijffers
CEO
EXCEL ESPORTS
Wouter Sleijffers
CEO
EXCEL ESPORTS
Wouter has spearheaded some of esports’ most valuable brands. Before joining EXCEL ESPORTS, he oversaw one of the industry’s greatest success stories as CEO of Fnatic where under his leadership the organisation grew into a globally renowned lifestyle brand. Outside of strategic, commercial and investment direction Wouter looks to lead EXCEL down it’s own unique path that will reflect the team's passion and beliefs and enact positive change in the gaming industry.
Dominic Sacco
Editor
Esports News UK
Dominic Sacco
Editor
Esports News UK
Dominic Sacco is the editor and founder of Esports News UK, an online publication set up in late 2015 covering the local League of Legends scene and, in early 2021, he began offering a full esports consultancy
service. He previously worked as head of content at the British Esports Association and editor of B2B tech publication PC Retail.
Ben Greenstone
Managing Director
Taso Advisory
Ben Greenstone
Managing Director
Taso Advisory
Ben Greenstone is the founder and Managing Director of Taso Advisory, a public policy consultancy with a focus on technology. Before setting up Taso Advisory, Ben was an adviser on technology and creative industries policy to Cabinet Ministers and Ministers in the UK Government.
Robert Douek
CEO
BLAST
Robert Douek
CEO
BLAST
Robbie is CEO of BLAST, the global esports entertainment company. BLAST creates, produces, broadcasts and distributes premium esports entertainment underpinned by industry-leading technology - while working with leading broadcasters, brands and communities across the world to deliver incredible esports moments. Whether this be in the shape of intimate broadcast studio shows, packed out arena events in all corners of the globe or top-class multi-platform content.
The company looks to create the most exciting and exhilarating moments in esports through innovative and industry leading tournaments, content and shows in a variety of games, including: Counter-Strike, DOTA 2, VALORANT, Apex Legends and Fortnite.
Prior to BLAST, Robbie was Vice President Digital, EMEA, running digital partnerships for The Walt Disney Company. Robbie joined Disney in April 2015 as Managing Director, EMEA for Maker Studios (acquired by Disney), where he oversaw all business operations for Maker EMEA.
Before joining Disney, Robbie worked at Google based in Paris and London, where he occupied three different positions - Head of Branding & YouTube Solutions across SEEMEA; Head of Mobile, SEEMEA and Head of Mobile France during his four and a half year tenure. Robbie joined Google in July 2010 through Google’s acquisition of AdMob.
Robbie currently splits his time between BLAST’s offices in London and Copenhagen. He is bilingual in English and French, with a strong level of Spanish and is married to a Colombian. He has three children.
Heather Dower
Founder and Managing Director
Hotdrop
Heather Dower
Founder and Managing Director
Hotdrop
Heather Dower is the Founder and CEO of the creative marketing agency, Hotdrop. Who specialize in engaging digital demographics across multiple mediums across gaming, esports and lifestyle. Heather became MCV's 30 under 30 in 2021 following the huge success with the growth and clientele Hotdrop have garnered within their first years.
Competitive at heart, Heather has always pushed herself to excel & grow within the industry leading her to set up Hotdrop in late 2019. Starting her journey in gaming as a streamer in early 2011, Heather quickly learned how to optimise a personal brand and developed expertise in the emerging market of esports & gaming influencers by becoming a successful brand influencer and esports broadcaster.
She cemented her broadcasting skills by becoming the Producer and Host of the world's first daily esports news show ‘The Daily Download’ broadcasting live in 55 countries.
Joining ESL UK in 2018, Heather applied her industry experience in her role as the UK’s Marketing Director. She led the marketing and creative teams through various leading global properties, brand activations, charitable events as well as pioneering new IP product development.
Ivan Danishevsky
Founder
Esports Charts
Ivan Danishevsky
Founder
Esports Charts
Public speaker. Tech expert. Experienced C-level Officer with a demonstrated history of working in business development, information technology, and esports. Skilled in Esports, Streaming, Gaming, Ads and Media, Data Science, Big Data, Machine Learning.
Adam Savinson
Esports Director - BG Marketing Services
Betway Group
Adam Savinson
Esports Director - BG Marketing Services
Betway Group
Adam Savinson has been Head of Esports at Betway group, since May 2015. Adam’s passion for Esports and wealth of experience in Digital Marketing has helped drive Betway’s fast paced growth within the Esports Betting industry.
James Duffield
Co-Founder
TEAMS.gg
James Duffield
Co-Founder
TEAMS.gg
Formerly the founding member of an award-winning branded content studio within Twitch. James was pivotal in growing the Twitch Advertising business from 'sit-and-play' influencer streams for endemic brands such as Microsoft, Sony and EA; to highly produced studio broadcasts and custom influencer-led commercials for some of the biggest advertisers in the world including Warner Bros, Porsche, Kellogg's, Philips and Unilever.
After 5 years at Twitch, James has recently started a tech venture in esports. TEAMS.gg aims to make finding teammates easier for competitive players of any skill level.
Guillaume Vergnas
B2B Partnerships Manager
Alpine F1 Team
Guillaume Vergnas
B2B Partnerships Manager
Alpine F1 Team
Guillaume started his career in motorsports & Formula One 5 years ago within Groupe Renault. On top of being a fan of motorsports and gaming, he always been passionate about new trends and partnerships opportunities.
Guillaume has a strong experience building partnerships in F1 and automotive. Working with global brands to deliver their marketing & business KPI's through highly innovative partnerships in motorsports and Esports.
In 2018, he drives Renault Sport in Esports, entering in a 3 years partnership with the leading French organisation Team Vitality. Together they accumulate trophies and success, particularly in Rocket League where the Team, Renault Vitality wins the World Championship.
In 2021, Guillaume created the new sim-racing entity of Groupe Renault, Alpine Esports.
As of today, Alpine Esports competes in the F1 Esports Series Pro-Championship & the Virtual le Mans Series and partnered with brands like: Trak Racer, Mandiant, BenQ & Philips Hue.
Paris Smith
CEO
Pinnacle
Paris Smith
CEO
Pinnacle
Paris Smith started her gaming career in 1995 by taking bets at WWTS, an offshore sports betting company that was later sold to Betcorp Ltd.
Having worked her way up the business to become COO, she joined Curacao-based Pinnacle in the same role from 2006. Pinnacle soon recognised Smith’s efforts in shifting the focus away from North America towards growth markets in Asia and Europe, by promoting her to CEO in 2008. Almost a decade on, Pinnacle continues to flourish under her leadership.
The operator emphasised its desire for data driven innovation by launching a revamped eSports portal in 2017.
Edward Gregory
Senior Partnerships Manager
Fnatic
Edward Gregory
Senior Partnerships Manager
Fnatic
Edward started his career in South Africa at Sports Agency, Accelerate Sport, where he progressed from Key Accounts Executive to CEO at the age of 27. He oversaw significant commercial growth for the National Federations they represented (Netball, Surfing, Squash, COSAFA) as well as compiled the successful bid to bring the Netball World Cup to Cape Town in 2023.
Since joining Fnatic, he has overseen BMW's hugely successful entrance into the market, including their nominations for multiple awards. He also helped negotiate Gucci's first entrance into the space through their limited edition Dive watch collaboration, while managing a number of other partners in the Fnatic stable including newly announced ASOS.
Chris Kissack
Esports Advisor
Digital IOM
Chris Kissack
Esports Advisor
Digital IOM
Esports advisor and corporate solutions specialist, Chris is well known within the esports ecosystem for his passion and enthusiasm for supporting grassroots initiatives, future talent and championing authentic growth of the industry. Chris is an advisor to the Isle of Man Government's esports initiatives, raising the Islands profile as an authentic place to do business in esports
Trev Keane
Managing Director
Epic Global Agency
Trev Keane
Managing Director
Epic Global Agency
Trev is the co-founder of Epic Global Agency, a dedicated esports and gaming agency for rights holders, athletes and top tier esports teams. Epic Global Agency works with the likes of Jesse Lingard esports, Norwich FC, Tundra esports, Munster Rugby, Christian Fuchs and Beastcoast. He leads up their esports strategy division.
Caz Lacey
Executive Search, Global Head of Esports and Video Games
Creative Artists Agency
Caz Lacey
Executive Search, Global Head of Esports and Video Games
Creative Artists Agency
Based in London, managing global mandates, Caz heads up CAA’s global gaming efforts. She has extensive experience working on senior executive and non-executive director positions for international gaming businesses. Her focus is on developing networks specifically within the esports and video gaming industries.
Caz formerly led the video gaming practice at Odgers Berndtson’s for five years, working with major games publishers, developers, technology providers as well as esports tournament organisers and teams. Some of her clients included: Sony PlayStation, Electronic Arts DICE, ESL and Bethesda Europe. Prior to this she worked as a consultant for a boutique executive search firm in London specialising in entertainment and leisure.
Ryan Scollan
CEO
G-Science
Ryan Scollan
CEO
G-Science
Ryan is a sports scientist, esports performance coach and co-founder/CEO of esports performance coaching and technology company, Gscience. He graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science in 2018. Ryan has previously worked at BLK BOX, adidas, and was part of the Propel Ignite Technology Accelerator 2019 cohort. He is passionate about improving the health, wellbeing and performance of gamers.
Charles Hambro
CEO & Co-Founder
GEEIQ
Charles Hambro
CEO & Co-Founder
GEEIQ
Charles previously co-founded Gentleman’s Journal, where he worked with multiple luxury brands, after which he moved on to become Account Director at marketing tech platform Movidiam. Currently, he is the co-founder and CEO at GEEIQ, a data platform and consultancy for brands to identify and optimise esports and gaming partnership strategies. Their current clients include Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, L'Oreal and Coty.
Miquel Matthys
CEO & Co-Founder
3D Aim Trainer
Miquel Matthys
CEO & Co-Founder
3D Aim Trainer
3D Aim Trainer’s mission is to “inspire gamers to go next level”. As CEO of 3D Aim Trainer, I see myself as a service provider. I use our company’s mission as a personal ambition. I try to inspire not only
the gamers on our platform, but also, my colleagues and business relations to go next level by providing value whenever and wherever I can. If I can help everyone around me to be more successful, I can
safely say I’m going next level as well.
Alex Coulson
Managing Director
NSE (National Student Esports)
Alex Coulson
Managing Director
NSE (National Student Esports)
Alex is Managing Director of NSE (National Student Esports) which is the official body for university esports and the largest grassroots gaming community in the UK. NSE operates the British University Esports Championship; works with major publishers including Nintendo, Riot Games, and Ubisoft; and has long-term successful partnerships with Barclays, Intel, and Monster Energy.
Previously, Alex spent seven years as Managing Director of Sport Industry Group, a B2B organisation which sits at the heart of the UK and international sport industry and Alex remains an Advisor to the business. Earlier in his career Alex spent well over a decade working for leading sports marketing agencies, his last agency position being Director, PR and Social Media at IMG Consulting.
He has led award-winning communication and sponsorship campaigns in the UK and internationally for a range of clients from blue-chip brands, sponsors, events, international federations, host nations bidding for events and more.
Matt Watson
Head of Research, Learning & Development
International Federation of Esports Coaches (IFoEC)
Matt Watson
Head of Research, Learning & Development
International Federation of Esports Coaches (IFoEC)
In his role as Head of Research, Learning & Development at IFoEC, Matt is responsible for designing and delivering esports coaching and performance programmes in a range of academic and applied settings. Matt has published a number of peer-reviewed scientific articles and leads IFoEC’s research efforts to strengthen the evidence base around coaching and professional practice in esports. Matt is also actively engaged in esports as a performance coach in the NLC.
Oliver Weingarten
Founder/CEO
LDN UTD
Oliver Weingarten
Founder/CEO
LDN UTD
General Commercial Counsel at the Premier League. Secretary General of the F1 Teams' Association. Spent a few more years in motorsport and sports tech. Set up LDN UTD as a grassroots esports org to unite with social issues.
Leeston Bryant
Senior Marketing Manager – Esports
McLaren Racing
Leeston Bryant
Senior Marketing Manager – Esports
McLaren Racing
Leeston started his career working in some of the best and most awarded UK Advertising Agencies across retail, lifestyle, telecoms and fashion brands. Here he achieved an excellent education in brand strategy and creative development.
Leeston has always been a huge gaming fan especially fighting games and RPG’s. For the last few years, Leeston has been heading up McLaren’s esports offer. Managing a global esports competition and sponsorship platform as well as an esports team and everything in between. Leeston sees esports and more broadly gaming as excellent way to push the boundaries of technology and also make motorsport more accessible.
Mark Donovan
CEO
Epics.gg
Mark Donovan
CEO
Epics.gg
Games entrepreneur since the early 2000's, cofounder of Epics.gg and former CEO of Xire
Alex Inglot
Commissioner
ESL Pro League
Alex Inglot
Commissioner
ESL Pro League
Alex Inglot is a unique strategist within the world of sports and esports. Having worked for many years in international corporate and commercial law, and nearly a decade in global sports communications and public affairs, he is now the Commissioner of the ESL Pro League. He leads the Commissioner’s Office, an independent governing body which oversees the ESL Pro League’s business structure and governance model.
Yasin Dabhelia
Head of Automation
Bidstack
Yasin Dabhelia
Head of Automation
Bidstack
Yasin Dabhelia is the Head Of Automation at Bidstack, the leading in-game advertising and video game monetisation platform. He has 10 years commercial experience in advertising and media and specialises in gaming, esports, programmatic advertising and emerging media channels.
Tasha Jones
Esports Product Manager
BLAST
Tasha Jones
Esports Product Manager
BLAST
Natacha has been producing esports broadcasts since 2016. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2018 with an M/BSc in Biology. They are currently an Esports Product Manager at BLAST and Chair of the Women in Esports Committee.
Kalvin Chung
Director
MnM Gaming
Kalvin Chung
Director
MnM Gaming
Kalvin is the director and founder of MNM Gaming, an esports club based in the UK that bridges the East and West. He has won"UK Esports Manager of the Year" for 3 years running and is also the creative director and founder of DLC Studios, a production agency that has worked with Ubisoft, ESL, Red Bull and more.
Ólafur Hrafn Steinarsson
Chairman of the Board
Icelandic Esports Association
Ólafur Hrafn Steinarsson
Chairman of the Board
Icelandic Esports Association
Ólafur started his gaming career working for CCP Games in Reykjavík Iceland, producing and organizing the Alliance tournament and handling other community content. From there he joined the Dublin team at Riot Games, spearheading the support for the collegiate esports scene across Europe before moving over to managing a development team working on the competitive product Battlegrounds. For the past three years Ólafur has been in Iceland working as Director of Esports at 1939 Games and building the local esports ecosystem under the banner of the Icelandic Esports Association which he founded. During those three years IEA has established esports as a staple in Iceland with over 30 member associations, dedicated esports content distribution locally and an 1100 square meter national esports stadium.
Joshua Miller
Global Creative Director
We Are Nations
Joshua Miller
Global Creative Director
We Are Nations
Joshua Miller’s career in design and merchandising began at the age of 16 when he began freelance designing and screen-printing t-shirts and posters for local bands in Seattle.
He began working in the music industry for artists such as Tiesto, Ziggy Marley, and major music festival Coachella over the next 6 years as a merchandise manager, designer, and production manager.
He has continued to pursue the arts and now merge his passions for design, fashion, and a love of video gaming, bringing that to We Are Nations as the company’s global creative director.
Philip Hübner
Chief Business Development Officer
Challengermode AB
Philip Hübner
Chief Business Development Officer
Challengermode AB
Philip started his career in esports almost 11 years ago at ESL, where he was a part of the Intel Extreme Masters team and helped bring esports to stadiums for the first time in Katowice. In the years that followed, he worked on International Marketing at Twitch and, after a few years as a freelancer working with influencers, game publishers and esports teams, joined Challengermode heading up Business Development in 2018.
Anisah Munim
Women & Non-Binary LoL Product Manager
NUEL
Anisah Munim
Women & Non-Binary LoL Product Manager
NUEL
Anisah is a fourth year student at the University of Warwick studying French and German. She has had multiple roles within esports, including being a Team Manager for UK organisations, tournament admining
various tournaments for many games and assisting within Warwick University's new Esports Centre. Anisah is massive lover of grassroots esports and strongly believes in building up from the bottom.
Erik Londré
Karta
Founder & CEO
Erik Londré
Karta
Founder & CEO
Erik Londré is the founder of Karta, an agency that takes brands, their products and messages and turn them into powerful playable marketing inside of games like Fortnite, Roblox and CS:GO.
Before founding Karta, Erik was Head of Events at Fnatic for five years organising over 70 events across the globe for brands like Jack Link's, OnePlus and AMD.
Mitsouko Anderson
Head of Partnerships - Esports
Morgan Sports Law
Mitsouko Anderson
Head of Partnerships - Esports
Morgan Sports Law
Mitsouko, now the Head of Partnerships for a soon-to-be announced esports venture from Morgan Sports Law, focuses on developing strategies and innovative marketing efforts for brands and influencers in esports. From brand-building at one of the UK's most renowned university tournament operators to leading the Campaigns team and working with influencers at a leading esports agency, Mitsouko has worked with high-profile clients such as Bud Light on their entry into the esports space and spoken about the industry at a number of events including for Deloitte, BBC Academy and The University of York.
Jack Fenton
Head of Esports
University of Warwick
Jack Fenton
Head of Esports
University of Warwick
Co-founder of Warwick Esports, previously a Coach, Caster, and now overseeing Warwick's esports project.
Johnny Kutnowski
Director of Product Management
Blinkfire Analytics
Johnny Kutnowski
Director of Product Management
Blinkfire Analytics
I'm the lucky person leading product development and everything related to esports at Blinkfire.
Becky Liggero
Lead Gaming Industry Video Reporter
CoinGeek
Becky Liggero
Lead Gaming Industry Video Reporter
CoinGeek
After four and a half years of iGaming industry experience with Casino City, Becky Liggero Fontana joined Bitcoin Entrepreneur and Economic Envoy to the Government of Antigua Calvin Ayre to serve as the Head On-site Reporter for the Calvin Ayre Media Group. Since August 2009, Becky has exclusively conducted interviews with senior level executives and enthusiasts for CalvinAyre.com and CoinGeek.com while continuing to travel the world and document her adventures for all to watch and read.
Claire Hungate
President/COO
Team Liquid
Claire Hungate
President/COO
Team Liquid
Claire Hungate is Team Liquid’s president and chief operating officer (COO). In this role, Hungate oversees the organization’s profit and loss and global business strategy and operations. She defines and leads plans for global expansion, acquisitions and new revenue streams. In addition to leading the commercial planning, she will provide oversight for the company’s ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
For more than 20 years, Hungate has exhibited an expertise in establishing or redeveloping businesses built around the monetization of content-driven audience engagement. Prior to joining Liquid, she served as independent director at international games publisher Avalanche Studios Group and chair of production music library The Nerve.
Before that, she helped transform multi-channel network Brave Bison Group PLC into a profitable social content studio and media network, making it the second-largest global, media and entertainment digital publisher on Facebook.
Beginning in 2014, Hungate spent several years as CEO of Warner Bros. TV Production UK. She stepped into the role after facilitating Warner Bros.' purchase of her previous company, UK-and US-based television production group Shed Media PLC. At Shed, Hungate served as COO, leading a team that acquired and integrated multiple independent production companies to form the so-called ‘super indie’. This included the acquisition of Wall to Wall, where she was managing director. The independent company is known for its Oscar-winning theatrical documentary Man on Wire, and reality entertainment formats Who Do You Think You Are and Supernanny - both of which were remade for the US market.
Hungate is a qualified lawyer and spent the first few years of her career at the BBC in a legal role.
Mokhliss Barriol
International Head of Business Development
MBuzz Esports
Mokhliss Barriol
International Head of Business Development
MBuzz Esports
I was for a decade Air Traffic Controller working with NATO, UN, to Private Jet company, since 2018 I made a U-Turn in my career to become an Entrepreneur specialised in Esports (MEA Region)
Anton Janér
Founder & CTO
Abios
Anton Janér
Founder & CTO
Abios
Anton Janér is the CTO and Founder of Abios, an industry leading esports data and technology provider. The Stockholm-based company was founded in 2013 and has since then grown its esports data and technology offering to serve customer all over the globe.
With over 8 years of experience within esports, data and iGaming, Anton is overseeing the daily activities and technology strategy of Abios. He has been part of expanding the company from small startup to a global company looking to serve the esports industry for many years to come.
Oscar Asewando
Partnerships & Community Manager
Lionscreed
Oscar Asewando
Partnerships & Community Manager
Lionscreed
Oscar is a Second Year Cyber Security Student in London.
He started his career as an Esports Host/Commentator, performing as an on-screen talent for community events at Wanyoo UK and the Redbull Gaming Sphere.
Since then he has used his experience in fan engagement to build bridges between brands and their communities, via his roles in Business Development and Community Management.
Oscar is a massive fan of MOBAs, RPGs, Sim. Racing and Hacking/Cyber Security.
Rory Nicklin
Communications Strategist
The Story Mob
Rory Nicklin
Communications Strategist
The Story Mob
As a Communications Strategist for The Story Mob - the world's leading communications agency for gaming culture - Rory is responsible for overseeing the accounts for some of the biggest organisations and brands in esports, including Riot Games Esports Europe, Fnatic and Dreamhack Sports Games. He has a keen interest in esports’ broadcast rights, sponsorship and partnerships, and health and performance and his expertise spans communications strategy development and implementation, media relations and storytelling, issues management and messaging development. Before moving into the competitive gaming industry, Rory began his career working in the sports industry. As a result, he has a deep understanding of the intersection between esports and sports.
Marie Mejerwall
CEO
Femina United
Marie Mejerwall
CEO
Femina United
Marie started her eSports career in Femina United, the world's then biggest community for female gamers. The community had 3000 members by 2004 and organized Counter-Strike tournaments at Dreamhack 2004-2010. The community is currently being re-launched to rebuild the female esports scene ground up - and is looking for partners.
In the 2010-2020, Marie were doing other things in eSports - she held positions such as commentator, analyst and coach for a top #12 North American team in SMITE. She also organized and produced the broadcast for tournaments for ESL and Meltdown eSports bar.
Aside eSports, Marie is now a consultant within game development after a long career where she has worked on several AAA action titles such as Batman Arkham Origins, Dead Rising, RollerCoaster Tycoon and Deus Ex. She worked for a number of well-renowned studios such as Ubisoft, Capcom, Warner Bros, Eidos, Funcom and Jagex.
Michael Heina
International Sector Director Gaming and Esports
YouGov
Michael Heina
International Sector Director Gaming and Esports
YouGov
Michael joined the esports and gaming team at YouGov in 2021. His primary responsibility is overseeing growth with both new and existing clients in the UK, EMEA, and APAC. Having worked in the industry for 15 years, he brings a wealth of experience to the company. As well as a frequent speaker on the esports industry, Michael has worked to provide many of the major players in esports and gaming with actionable insights on sponsorship, fan profiling, and strategic investments.
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