Wakefield-based Team17 Group, the developer of video games and educational entertainment apps, has announced the appointment of Steve Bell as chief executive officer.

Bell, 50, will join the board on September 4, 2023, as group chief executive officer designate, formally assuming the role of group CEO from January 1, 2024.

Debbie Bestwick will continue in the role of CEO until December 31, 2023, working closely with Bell in the initial months of his appointment to ensure a smooth transition and then become a non-executive director on January 1, 2024.

Steve Bell

“Steve joins from Iris Worldwide Holdings Limited, a global integrated marketing agency specialising in brand and digital marketing strategy, which he co-founded in 1999,” said Team17.

“Steve has amassed extensive digital marketing expertise, having held senior leadership roles since co-founding Iris in 1999, including the role of global group chief executive since 2021.

“Managing over 1,000 employees in 14 offices around the world, Steve has overseen Iris’ work with some of the biggest, most creatively driven and technologically advanced global brands and has been instrumental in developing and delivering Iris’ commercial and M&Astrategies.

“Prior to co-founding Iris, Steve worked for the advertising and retail agency Arc Worldwide, spending over five years working across a number of high-profile integrated accounts.”

Team17 chair Chris Bell said: “We are delighted to have attracted a candidate of Steve’s calibre to Team17. Having worked with some of the world’s leading brands, Steve brings a wealth of commercial and digital marketing experience to Team17, and we look forward to leveraging this expertise as Team17 moves forward to its next stage of growth.”

Bestwick said: “As a board, we have run a rigorous process to find a new group chief executive and we are delighted to announce Steve as my successor.

“Steve’s experience as a co-founder of a people-centric business means he understands the importance of our vibrant and inclusive company culture which remains the cornerstone of everything we do across the group.

“I look forward to working with Steve through the handover process, and to supporting him and the broader team thereafter in my role as a non-executive director.”

Bell said: “I am thrilled to be joining Team17. The company has an incredible track record and I’m excited to help build on the group’s strong foundations to continue its impressive growth trajectory.

“I look forward to working closely with the board, Mark (CFO), Michael, Julia, Tim and Emmet – the group’s divisional CEO’s and their broader teams to bring even more compelling games and apps to players, alongside driving further momentum by supporting the Group’s successful organic and acquisitive growth strategy.”