Frontier Developments PLC (AIM:FDEV) has reshuffled its board, with founder David Braben moving aside as creative chief Jonny Watts takes the chief executive role.
David Gammon will retire as chairman in December and David Wilton, who is currently chief financial officer at games developer Sumo Group but due to step down in October, will take over.
Wilton, an experienced non-executive and with experience in corporate finance at Rothschild, will joining as a non-executive director and chairman designate in September.
Watts, who has been the chief creative officer for a decade and at the company for 24 years, is attributed much of the success over recent years, including establishing the 'develop, launch and nurture' strategy that aims to deliver long-term value to both players and investors.
In his new role, he will be responsible for all aspects of day-to-day leadership and delivery against the group's operational and longer term strategic plans.
Braben, after 28 years leading the company, said the change would see him focus on longer-term strategic opportunities.
"Frontier is very important to me, and I am delighted to be able to pass on my CEO responsibilities to the exceptionally talented Jonny Watts, who I know will do a terrific job. He has the perfect combination of creative leadership and gaming vision to build on the excellent momentum in the business."
Broker Peel Hunt said the "upgrades" to its senior management come amid the company's "vision of the lines between linear and interactive entertainment becoming increasingly blurred".
"Investors may remember David as Sumo’s CFO, before it was acquired by Tencent. After a bumpy couple of years for FDEV, the next few are poised to be exciting, with the release of F1 Manager 2022 in two weeks, Warhammer: Age of Sigmar in CY23E, as well as numerous titles from its Frontier Foundry label."
Analyst Katie Cousins at Shore Capital said she was pleased Braben "will retain his leadership and vision for FDEV's strategic direction, whilst maintaining and building key relationships within the games industry and the wider digital entertainment sector".