adminThe gaming industry appointments in April 2026 include senior finance, regional management and studio leadership changes across games companies and related businesses. Sega Europe has named Irina Kim as CFO, while Roblox has appointed Joost Hagesteijn to a newly created European role. The roundup also covers departures at Microsoft and leadership updates at Game Events, Astragon, Rovio, Blizzard Entertainment, CodeDev and DDA.
Gaming industry appointments in April 2026
For readers tracking changes in the sector, the roles and previous positions below offer context on the experience each new leader brings. Company announcements may provide further details on responsibilities and transition timelines.
Sega Europe appoints Irina Kim as CFO
Image credit: Sega
Irina Kim has joined Sega Europe as chief financial officer. Before the appointment, she was CFO and vice president at Product Madness and Pixel United, both subsidiaries of Aristocrat Leisure. Her finance leadership experience spans more than 20 years and includes roles at companies such as Unilever.
Kim said she was looking forward to contributing to Sega Europe’s next phase and working with its studios. Her appointment brings a finance executive with experience across entertainment and other industries into the role.
Joost Hagesteijn joins Roblox as general manager for Europe
Roblox has appointed Joost Hagesteijn to a newly created position as general manager for Europe, reflecting the region’s increased strategic importance to the company. He will lead regional business operations and coordinate the implementation of strategy with local teams and partners.
Hagesteijn previously served as general manager for Northern Europe at Snap Inc. He also advises the boards of AI consultancy Ainigma and digital production agency Capitola. He said his focus would include scaling operations while supporting a safe and enriching experience for players and developers.
Bing Gordon joins Nex board
Bing Gordon, co-founder of Electronic Arts and its former chief creative officer, has joined the board of Nex, the company behind Nex Playground. He also serves on the boards of businesses including Take-Two Interactive and Amazon.
Nex CEO David Lee announced the appointment and said Gordon would support entrepreneurs and future CEOs. Board appointments can offer companies experienced guidance as they develop their businesses and leadership teams.
Kiki Wolfkill departs Microsoft
Kiki Wolfkill, head of Xbox Film & TV, has announced her departure from Microsoft. She joined the company in 1998 as a director of art, a position she held for nine years, before becoming an executive producer at 343 Industries.
In 2015, Wolfkill was promoted to lead Halo transmedia and entertainment. Over 13 years as a Microsoft Partner, she also held positions including head of Xbox IP expansion and entertainment, executive producer and director of visual brand.
Frederik Hammes named managing director of Game Events GmbH
Image credit: Game Events GmbH
Frederik Hammes has been appointed managing director of Game Events GmbH, the organiser of Gamescom. He succeeds Stephan Reichart, who is leaving the position to pursue new projects. Hammes brings more than two decades of games industry experience, including senior roles at Travian Games. Reichart will support the transition until Gamescom Dev concludes in August 2026.
Hammes said Gamescom Dev is adopting a new format and becoming more closely integrated with Gamescom. He plans to build on the conference’s recent growth and strengthen its international profile. Game managing director Felix Falk credited Reichart with helping establish Gamescom Dev as a leading event for game developers.
Tim Schmitz becomes CEO of Astragon companies
Tim Schmitz has been appointed CEO of Astragon Entertainment and Astragon Development. Julia Pfiffer is stepping down as co-CEO after plans to pursue other business interests and discussions between the parties, according to parent company Everplay.
Pfiffer and Schmitz became co-CEOs of Astragon Entertainment in January 2017 and of Astragon Development in May 2025. Everplay CEO Mikkel Weider thanked Pfiffer for her contribution and leadership. Pfiffer also expressed appreciation for her time with the company and the work of its team.
Smith Dela Pena takes performance marketing role at Rovio
Rovio has appointed Smith Dela Pena as performance marketing lead for Angry Birds Dream Blast. The role covers acquisition strategy, budget management and cross-channel execution, with user acquisition aligned to product and monetisation work.
Dela Pena previously led user acquisition at Mega Studio and held similar positions at Gameloft, Funstage and Playlab Games. The scope of the role shows how marketing, product and monetisation responsibilities can intersect in mobile games.
Yolanda Zhang named senior product manager for Diablo Immortal
Yolanda Zhang has joined Blizzard Entertainment as senior product manager for Diablo Immortal. Before this move, she spent more than three years as a senior product manager at Scopely and held senior roles at Kongregate, Monarc Game Labs and NHN Entertainment.
CodeDev appoints Andy Norman as COO
Image credit: CodeDev
Unreal Engine co-development studio CodeDev has appointed Andy Norman as chief operating officer. Norman previously served as a studio leader in the Keywords Create Division. His earlier work includes leading The Multiplayer Group (MPG) with CodeDev chair Rik Alexander. Alexander founded MPG and oversaw its sale to Improbable in 2019; Norman later became CEO and led its £76.5 million acquisition by Keywords Studios in 2023.
Norman said the company intends to prioritise strong relationships with staff and customers, with the view that sound working practices and culture can support sustainable growth. CEO Myke Parrott described Norman’s experience developing teams and culture as a fit for CodeDev’s operational needs.
Tom Goldberger joins DDA as vice president of gaming
Creative communications agency DDA has hired Tom Goldberger as vice president of gaming. He said the team will work on consumer communications across console and PC games, mobile games and gaming hardware, covering campaign strategy, press outreach and launch creative development.
Goldberger joins from Square Enix in the UK, where he was senior public relations manager and led more than 70 launches over five years. His previous senior PR roles include positions at Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Premier PR, Red Bull Racing and Athlon Games.
What these appointments mean for industry watchers
These gaming industry appointments in April 2026 span finance, regional operations, product management, marketing, communications and executive leadership. When following a leadership change, check the person’s new remit, prior experience and any stated transition period: those details help clarify what is changing at the organisation without assuming outcomes that have not been announced.
