- Co-founder and CEO Chris James steps into a boss position targeted on technique and worldwide development.
- COO Dave Bradley takes on day-to-day management as normal supervisor, reflecting a deliberate succession.
- Because the Pocket Gamer model enters its twentieth 12 months, the enterprise builds on momentum from PGC London 2026 with an expanded international occasions roadmap.
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After a massively profitable Pocket Gamer Connects London 2026, which noticed 3,000 video games trade professionals gathering in London for the trade’s most vital UK knowledge-sharing and networking occasion, the Metal Media Ltd administration crew has levelled up.
Right this moment’s announcement confirms a management transition, with founder and long-time Pocket Gamer chief Chris James shifting into the position of chairman and present COO Dave Bradley stepping as much as the place of normal supervisor.
Marking the twentieth anniversary
The choice was made public stage throughout the opening ceremony of Pocket Gamer Connects London 2026 and comes because the Pocket Gamer model (and founding crew) rejoice their twentieth anniversary.
Pocket Gamer was based in March 2006 as a consumer-focused web site, earlier than increasing into B2B protection and later occasions with the launch of the internationally acclaimed PG Connects convention sequence in 2014.
Chris James co-founded Pocket Gamer in 2006 and has led the enterprise by way of successive phases of development, serving as managing director and CEO. A former journal journalist and editor, he’s extensively recognised for his entrepreneurial drive and his position as a connector and champion of the video games trade. James will proceed a lot of this in his new position as chairman, with a give attention to strategic oversight and worldwide growth, exploring new territories and partnerships to help the corporate’s continued international development.
The PGC occasion model is already planning 9 additional occasions following London, launching in new territories comparable to Malmö, Bangkok and Gran Canaria, on prime of latest additions in Barcelona and Shanghai. James will probably be pivotal in persevering with that worldwide momentum.
“I actually couldn’t be prouder of the crew and what we’ve performed to date – and my love for this wonderful trade has actually not lessened over time, so I’m undoubtedly not leaving!” mentioned Chris James.
“Nonetheless, after 20 years on the wheel, it does really feel like a great alternative to step again from the entrance line and take a while to consider the larger image and contemplate the broader panorama of trade alternatives from a unique vantage level.
“In fact, this type of transfer is just potential when you’ve got a powerful senior administration crew, and I’m tremendous assured that in Dave Bradley, Metal Media has the proper successor to guide from the entrance. He’s been a key a part of the administration crew that has acquired us the place we’re right now.
“Additionally, he’s ably supported by co-founder and artistic director Jez Bridgeman and a really succesful senior crew, together with SVP Enterprise Growth Lisa Bisset, gross sales lead Andreea Giurcha and occasions lead Caris Etherington in addition to editorial, advertising, manufacturing, operations and extra, together with many others that make the magic occur!
“And in reply to the questions I’ve obtained to date… ‘No, I’m not retiring’, ‘Sure, I’ll nonetheless be at many of the occasions’, and ‘Cash with my face on is STILL authorized tender in terms of drink exchanges at Pocket Gamer events’!”
Seeking to the long run
Dave Bradley joined Metal Media in 2016 as operations supervisor, later turning into COO, and now assumes day-to-day management of the enterprise as normal supervisor. A former journal journalist and editor with almost three many years of expertise throughout video games, expertise, movie and tv media, Bradley has been intently related to the corporate’s editorial, occasions and advertising operations.
“It is a privilege to step right into a management position at an organization so beloved by the trade,” mentioned Dave Bradley. “The trade has seen Metal Media develop from a UK media crew championing cell video games into a worldwide pressure for good.
“Who would have thought 20 years in the past that cell video games would account for half of the worldwide video games market, a multi-billion greenback vertical? Apparently, Chris James did! Following in his footsteps is an thrilling problem and I’m wanting ahead to seeing how our web sites and conferences can evolve. It’s an honour to be a part of a crew that’s so forward-looking and has developed such a world affect.”
Throughout the pair’s time working collectively at Metal Media, Pocket Gamer Connects has expanded to a worldwide sequence of 10 annual occasions, alongside vital development throughout the corporate’s media portfolio.
Collectively, the transition displays each continuity and ambition, positioning Pocket Gamer for its subsequent part of worldwide development because it enters its third decade.
Since 2019, Metal Media Ltd has been owned and operated by Fanatic Gaming (TSE: EGLX), the Toronto-based listed firm which specialises in communities for players, making Pocket Gamer a stablemate to very large on-line manufacturers comparable to Icy Veins, Addicting Video games, The Sims Useful resource, U.GG and Fantasy Soccer Scout.
