adminThe games industry jobs roundup for May 2026 covers leadership appointments, promotions, and role changes across game development, publishing, communications, and partnerships. The updates include new executives at Two Point Studios and People Can Fly, as well as changes at Jam City, Keywords Studios, and other organizations.
Image credit: Rebecca Price
These appointments offer a snapshot of how companies are building leadership and specialist teams. When comparing roles, note both the responsibilities attached to each position and the appointee’s previous experience.
Games industry jobs roundup: May 2026 appointments
Two Point Studios appoints Jo Koehler as COO
Farnham-based Two Point Studios has promoted Jo Koehler to chief operating officer. Koehler previously worked at the studio as an executive producer. In her new position, she is expected to contribute to the developer’s strategy and roadmap, as well as efforts to grow audiences for its games.
For readers: A COO appointment can signal a focus on coordinating business operations with a studio’s longer-term plans.
Maarten de Koning joins People Can Fly as CCO
People Can Fly has appointed Maarten de Koning as chief commercial officer. His experience spans several areas of the games business, including video game agency work, brokering, investment, entrepreneurship, and strategic advising.
CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski said de Koning’s industry knowledge and international network would strengthen the leadership team. He also highlighted de Koning’s experience connecting developers, publishers, and investors across markets.
For readers: Commercial leadership roles often involve building and managing relationships across different parts of the industry.
Lorna Probert becomes head of production at Diva Agency
Gaming-focused agency Diva has appointed Lorna Probert as head of production. Probert previously served as executive producer and head of production at Aardman Animations. She also co-founded and led Aardman’s Games division for 18 years.
Diva co-founder and CEO Suzy Barnes praised Probert’s leadership of multidisciplinary teams and her work on complex productions for clients including the BBC, Disney, Meta, Netflix, the Science Museum, and Sky.
Keywords Studios adds two global client partners
Pete Smith and Samantha Ebelthite have joined Keywords Studios as global client partners. They will advise partners on the services available from the company. Smith has held senior leadership positions at Tencent and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Ebelthite’s commercial and publishing experience includes roles at Electronic Arts, Outright Games, and Team17.
For readers: The appointments bring together experience in leadership, publishing, and commercial work—backgrounds relevant to advising clients on service needs.
Jam City co-founder Joshua Yguado steps down as CEO
Joshua Yguado is stepping down as CEO of mobile games company Jam City after 16 years with the organization. He will remain on the company’s board during the transition. Kabam CEO Chul-min Sim will take over as CEO of Jam City while continuing in his existing Kabam role.
Alset Studio expands its leadership team
European game development and services company Alset Studio has named former Testronic COO Marius Potirniche as CEO. At the company’s Belgrade studio, former Testronic Serbia managing director Andrei Cătălin Duminică becomes managing director, and Aleksandar Tica joins as head of operations.
Crina Oniscu has joined Alset’s Bucharest team as managing director, following her work as people operations director at Testronic Romania. Petre Tănăsoiu has been appointed QA director. He previously worked at Testronic Romania as a QA assurance project manager and is also QA associate manager at Gameloft Bucharest.
For readers: The changes span executive, studio, operations, people, and quality assurance leadership, so the appointments cover several functions rather than one team alone.
Daniela Pietrosanu joins Electronic Arts’ EU PR division
Daniela Pietrosanu has joined Electronic Arts’ EU public relations division. Her previous roles include PR consultant at Decibel PR and senior communications manager at Marvelous Europe. Her experience is centered on communications and public relations.
Premier promotes staff in partnerships and PR
Carrie Bellett has been promoted to head of gaming partnerships at Premier. She previously served as senior account director for brand partnerships and IP integrations.
Ed Nightingale has become a senior accounts manager at Premier PR. He joined the firm earlier this year as an account manager and previously worked as deputy news editor at Eurogamer.
Sophie Densham appointed Netflix EMEA communications manager
Netflix has appointed Sophie Densham as communications manager for EMEA. Before joining the company, she was an account director for Microsoft/Xbox UK and EMEA at PR firm Edelman.
Gareth Betts joins Just Add Water as senior producer
Just Add Water has appointed Gareth Betts as senior producer. Betts previously worked as a producer at Bandai Namco. CEO Viktorya Hollings said his experience in internal development and external publishing would support the studio’s projects as they progress through major milestones and as it looks toward AA development.
Mohamed El Sheakh named Roblox general manager for MENA and Türkiye
Roblox has appointed Mohamed El Sheakh as general manager for MENA and Türkiye. He previously led Apple’s App Store business in the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa. In his new role, he will oversee regional expansion, partnerships, and ecosystem initiatives across MENA and Türkiye.
What the May 2026 jobs roundup shows
This games industry jobs roundup highlights movement across studio operations, commercial leadership, production, communications, and regional management. For professionals tracking opportunities or company changes, comparing each appointee’s former responsibilities with the new role can help clarify how organizations are developing their teams.
