Game Republic New Horizons establishes new advisory board

Over 20 industry experts will help shape the UK conference's three-day programme

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Industry event Game Republic New Horizons has established a new international advisory board to help shape its 2026 conference. The board consists of over 20 industry experts, including representatives from Kickstarter, Revolution Software, Pitchify, Game Advisor, Rainy Frog, Double Eleven, Kudos Games, The Irish Game Makers Association, and GamesIndustry.biz.

Why it matters

The advisory board will help ensure the Game Republic New Horizons conference remains a flagship event for the games industry in the UK, particularly in the North. The conference aims to bring together industry leaders to discuss the future of tech, business, funding, markets, and opportunities.

The details

The full list of advisory board members includes Alison Lacy, Andrew Crawshaw, Ben Robinson, Bob Makin, Callum Underwood, Charles Cecil, Charlie Kemp, Chris Dring, Chris Taylor, David Lilley, Des Gayle, Elaine Dowman, Gina Jackson, HaZ Dulull, John Sanderson, Kimberley Turner, Luke Mills, Michael French, Michelle Shelton, Nareice Wint, Nina Cliff, Ron Ashtiani, Sarah York, Simon Iwaniszak, Stefan Lampinen, and Tony Byus. The conference is also supported by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Council, with representatives Charlie Kemp and Michelle Shelton sitting on the advisory board.

  • Game Republic New Horizons 2026 will take place between October 14 and October 16.
  • Early-bird tickets for the event are available until the end of March 2026.

The players

Game Republic New Horizons

An industry event and conference focused on the games industry in the UK, particularly in the North.

Asher McClennahan

Head of games at Kickstarter.

Charles Cecil

Head of Revolution Software.

Gina Jackson

Co-founder of Pitchify.

Stefan Lampinen

Founder of Game Advisor Ltd.

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What they’re saying

“The advisory board meetings have been incredible for helping us to shape this year's now 3-day programme.”

— Jamie Sefton, Game Republic managing director (gamesindustry.biz)

“What we saw at the GR New Horizons conference last year was the clear potential for the event to be an international flagship games industry conference that takes place in The North.”

— Jamie Sefton, Game Republic managing director (gamesindustry.biz)

“Over a third of attendees were from outside the region coming from London, the South-East and overseas. Feedback indicated 89% had secured new contacts and that 28% secured a new project or deal at the event with over 100 meetings on MeetToMatch. People were so positive about the event and wanted it to continue and grow – so we're delighted to be working on the 2026 New Horizons.”

— Jamie Sefton, Game Republic managing director (gamesindustry.biz)

What’s next

Early-bird tickets for Game Republic New Horizons 2026 are available until the end of March 2026.

The takeaway

The establishment of a diverse international advisory board for the Game Republic New Horizons conference demonstrates the event's ambition to become a leading platform for the UK games industry, particularly in the North, by bringing together a wide range of industry experts to help shape its future direction and programming.