Keywords Studios Plc Regulatory News (KWS)

20 September 2021

Keywords Studios plc

("Keywords Studios", "Keywords")

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

Keywords Studios, the international technical and creative services provider to the global video games industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bertrand Bodson to its Board as Chief Executive Officer. The appointment follows the announcement, in June, that Andrew Day had decided to bring forward his retirement plan. Bertrand's appointment as CEO will be effective from 1 December 2021.

Bertrand, 46, brings deep experience in driving and executing growth strategies for international businesses gained throughout his 23 year career through establishing new business models and innovative platforms, developing strategic partnerships, international expansion and digital transformation.

He joins from global healthcare leader Novartis where, in his role as Chief Digital Officer since 2018, and as an Executive Committee member, he led the digital transformation of the business, leading large scale teams, securing a number of strategic partnerships and playing a key role in the development of its corporate culture for 100,000 colleagues.

Bertrand previously spent four years as Chief Digital and Chief Marketing Officer at Sainsbury's Argos where he led the transformation from a traditional catalogue business to the third largest online retailer in the UK. He subsequently led the integration of Argos into the Sainsbury's store network.

Bertrand's previous experience includes senior roles at EMI Group, Bragster.com (which he co-founded) and Amazon, and he is currently a non-executive director of Tesco plc and Wolters Kluwer N.V.

Ross Graham, Chairman of Keywords Studios, said:

"We are delighted to have attracted a candidate of Bertrand's calibre to lead Keywords through the next phase of its development in the video games and adjacent content industries.

"Bertrand brings an ideal skillset to leading our ambitious, international business given the breadth of his experience in shaping and executing growth strategies and engendering strong cultures at some of the world's leading businesses. This expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow across multiple territories to cement our position as the 'go-to' provider of scale within our industry, globally.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jon Hauck and Sonia Sedler who, as our joint interim CEOs, have ensured the business has continued to go from strength to strength, and who look forward to working closely with Bertrand when he joins."

Bertrand Bodson, Chief Executive Officer designate of Keywords, said:

"I am excited to join Keywords as a proven market-leader with a clear opportunity to continue to grow its services, reach and scale, and to capitalise on its integrated full service offering, in a global yet fragmented market.

"Building on its successful organic and acquisitive growth track record, its inclusive culture, customer focus and unique platform, I'm looking forward to leading the Group's ambitious team to deliver an ever more compelling proposition for this buoyant market, and beyond."

Other than the previous directorships listed below, there is no further information required to be disclosed pursuant to paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for Companies, in relation to Bertrand Bodson's appointment to the board.

Bertrand holds or has held directorships in the five years preceding his appointment at the Company as follows:

Current:

Tesco plc

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

Imalc SA

St Nicolas des Pres SA

Last 5 years

Electrocomponents plc

For further information, please contact:

This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the market abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR"). 

About Keywords Studios (www.keywordsstudios.com)

Keywords Studios is an international technical services provider to the global video games industry. Established in 1998, and now with over 70 facilities in 23 countries strategically located in Asia, Australia, the Americas and Europe, it provides integrated art creation, marketing services, game development, testing, localization, audio and player support services across more than 50 languages and 16 games platforms to a blue-chip client base of over 950 clients across the globe.

Keywords Studios has a strong market position, providing services to 23 of the top 25 most prominent games companies. Across the games and entertainment industry, clients include Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Konami, Microsoft, Netflix, Riot Games, Square Enix, Supercell, TakeTwo, Tencent and Ubisoft. Recent titles worked on include Anthem, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite, Clash Royale and Doom Eternal.

Keywords Studios is listed on AIM, the London Stock Exchange regulated market (KWS.L).