Kuju Gets New CEO As Co-Founders Step Aside

Organizational changes at UK-based development conglomerate Kuju Entertainment (Chime, House of the Dead: Overkill) will see co-founders Ian Baverstock and Jonathan Newth leave their operational roles as a new CEO, Nigel Robbins, steps in. Baverstock had been serving as CEO, but according to the company, today's new appointment results from the 2007 acquisition of Kuju by German company Catalis. Baverstock and Newth will remain non-executive directors of the company, and will "actively support Kuju on specific strategic projects going forwards." "Ian and Jonathan are consummate industry professionals and they have led the charge at Kuju magnificently for more than two decades," says Kuju chairman Dominic Wheatley. "It’s great for us that they will maintain that close connection, given their in-depth knowledge and experience of the company they founded and the industry in which it operates." Robbins' mandate is to pursue growth under Catalis' business strategy, and to head up the development of Kuju's studios. These currently include Zoe Mode, Headstrong, Doublesix and Czechoslovakia-based Vatra, plus a San Francisco business office for Zoe Mode. Its Philippines operations closed just two months ago. Prior to taking this role, Robbins was with MTV Networks as a content and creative specialist. Kuju says his past experience as a "business builder" will be an asset. Said Robbins: "I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to build on Kuju’s strong foundations and focus on doing what we do best. Our job is to create compelling quality content across all platforms and delivery channels, and that will continue to be the focus within each of our studios, ensuring that we are the first choice developer for our publishing partners."