UK games industry experts team up to launch mentoring scheme

SEGA, Sensible Software and Games Workshop execs partner with innovation foundation Nesta.

A selection of the UK games industry's most successful executives have partnered with innovation foundation Nesta to launch the Creative Business Mentor Network, an initiative which offers smaller studios the chance to team up with an industry mentor to help them build their business.

Ex-SEGA West chief Mike Hayes, Sports Interactive CEO Miles Jacobson, and other top industry execs have each signed up to the initiative, where they'll work with up-start studios to offer advice on how to succeed in the games industry and achieve their aspirations.

"Access to the experience and expertise of the industry's top performers on a personal basis is a fantastic catalyst in the development of creative businesses," said Jon Kingsbury, Director of Creative Economy Programmes at Nesta.

"We believe that mentoring is one of the best ways for creative businesses to acquire the skills and confidence they need to thrive and our aim through this programme is for business mentoring to be adopted more widely across our industry."

As well as the games industry, the programme also aims to help businesses within advertising, digital media, film and TV sectors.

Up to thirty 'mentees' will be selected to work with mentors over a six to twelve month period.

For more details on the scheme, or for information on how to apply yourself, head over to Nesta's CBMN website.