Ukie CEO joins the National Videogame Museum Appoints as Trustees

The National Videogame Museum (NVM) has unveiled a formidable roster of new Trustees joining the Board of its governing charity, The BGI.

With a dynamic blend of cross-sector expertise, these appointments come at a pivotal moment for the Charity as it accelerates its evolution as a museum and shifts focus towards greater National impact.

Representing experts from the fields of culture, visitor attractions, videogames, fundraising and marketing, the influx of new Trustees will join the Board in two phases and as previous tenures end. These strategic additions will bolster the Museum’s governance, while helping the NVM meet its ambitious goals for the future.

Under the leadership of Co-CEOs Cat Powell and John O’Shea since 2022, the NVM has done significant work consolidating the collection, developing exhibitions and enriching experience for audiences and researchers and, this spring, the Charity is on track to submit for Arts Council England’s National Museum Accreditation.

As the UK’s only museum dedicated to the history, social and cultural impact of videogames, the NVM is positioned at the forefront of preserving the Nation’s videogame heritage. With a mission statement asserting that videogames are for everyone, the Museum continues to evolve, ensuring gaming culture and its preservation is relevant and accessible to all.

Beginning in March 2025, the NVM will welcome the first phase of new trustees:

● David Barrie (founder and CEO of Game Academy)

● Joe Chetcuti (Creative Director at Creative Assembly)

● Emma Cooper (Creative Industries Knowledge Transfer Manager at Innovate UK)

● Natalie Kane (Curator of Digital Design at The V&A)

● Nick Poole (Chief Executive of Ukie)

With extensive experience in game development, cultural institutions, brand management and technological innovation, these trustees will play a key role in guiding the Museum as it expands its National profile and strengthens the way in which its mission to highlight videogames culture, interfaces with audiences and the wider sector.

The new Board of the National Videogame Museum, based in Sheffield, will celebrate the Museum’s presence in the North and enhance the understanding of its communities and their needs, while bringing a National profile to the Charity’s innovative work.

Claire Boissiere, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the NVM, said:

“We are honoured to welcome our new Trustees to the Board. Their extensive experience will be invaluable as we embark on an exciting new chapter in the National Videogame Museum’s journey, expanding our national presence and advancing our mission. We are excited to see how their ideas and insights will help shape our future. We also want to share our heartfelt thanks to the Trustees stepping down at this time. Their dedication, guidance, and leadership have played a huge role in shaping the Museum’s success. Their impact will continue to inspire us, and we are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and passion they have given to the Museum"

Nick Poole, Ukie CEO said:  

“I am delighted to be joining the Board of the BGI/National Videogames Museum at this key moment in its development. Our industry needs and deserves a globally-recognised cultural destination capable of telling the story of video games and interactive entertainment. I am excited by the vision of John O’Shea and Cat Powell as the museum’s co-Directors and keen to bring my knowledge and experience to play in helping them to achieve it alongside the new and existing Board.”

The BGI is the governing charity of the National Videogame Museum. Aiming to transform lives with videogames, it is a national voice for videogame heritage and culture and aims to educate the public on the art, science and technology of videogames. Inspiring everyone to play, collaborate and learn about videogames through The National Videogame Museum and vocational programmes like Games Careers Week, The BGI’s mission is to ensure videogames are accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Learn more here: https://thebgi.uk/