Sumo Digital Appoints Ian Livingstone CBE as Chairman, Kats Sato as a Development Director; To Open Second UK Studio in 2015.

22nd September 2015.  Sheffield, UK.  Sumo Digital, a world class and award winning independent developer, today announced the appointments of Ian Livingstone CBE as non-executive Chairman and Kats Sato as a Development Director.

Following the recent MBO from Foundation 9, backed by NorthEdge Capital LLP, these appointments underline Sumo Digital’s expansion plans which also include the opening of a second UK studio, due later in 2015, adding to its well established HQ in Sheffield and wholly owned art studio in Pune, India. 

Sumo Digital is currently working on a number of high profile titles across various platforms, including Disney Infinity 3.0 and Crackdown 3.

Carl Cavers, CEO of Sumo Digital, said: “We're absolutely delighted to welcome Ian on board during this exciting time for Sumo, his experience will add tremendous value and will really help us to move forward with our strategic ambitions.”

Ian Livingstone CBE, said, “Sumo Digital is a studio packed with world-class talent which has developed some of the world’s best-selling video games. I look forward to working with Sumo to leverage the studio’s design expertise and technology to develop new titles and services.”

Games Workshop co-founder, Fighting Fantasy co-creator and former Executive Chairman of Eidos, Ian Livingstone is recognized as one of the founding fathers of the UK games industry. Recipient of a BAFTA Special Award and a string of accolades to his name, he is also a Patron of Creative Skillset, a Member of the Creative Industries Council, Non-executive director of the Creative Industries Federation, Digital Skills Champion and Adviser to the British Council.

Kats Sato joins from Codemasters where he managed external development and brings over 20 years of experience, beginning at Sega of Japan, to Sumo Digital.

Sumo Digital is expanding its UK and wholly owned India studios, recruiting across all disciplines, visit www.sumo-digital.com for information.

NorthEdge Capital LLP recently backed Sumo Digital’s management team to complete an MBO from Foundation 9 Entertainment.

Media Contact:  Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR. 

E:  Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk  M:  + 44(0) 7966 449 130

About Sumo Digital

Based in Sheffield, UK and Pune, India Sumo Digital employs 260 staff developing successful games across all platforms and genres.  Recognised for its versatility, proprietary technology, creativity and high Metacritic, Sumo Digital’s portfolio of games includes Little Big Planet 3, Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed, Forza Horizon 2 – Fast & Furious and Disney Infinity. 

The sensitive, creative, and intelligent use of licensed IP has become one of Sumo’s core competencies. At the 2013 Tiga Game Awards, Sumo won Best Arcade Game (Large Studio) for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed – SEGA’s bestselling console game of their FY2013, and Outstanding Leadership Award. LittleBigPlanet 3 also won the 2015 DICE award for ‘Best Family Game’.