British Esports chair Andy Payne recognised in games industry top 100

The British Esports Association’s chair – Andy Payne OBE – has been included in a list of influential people in the British games industry.

The top 100 was put together by GamesIndustry.biz in association with amicus, and includes mobile specialists, indie leaders, retailers and publishers, media and PR executives and more.

Andy Payne was mentioned in the ‘Industry Advocates, Investors, Supporters’ section.

He has been in the industry for over 30 years, having worked with AppyNation, Gambitious, Mastertronic, UKIE, EGL, Just Flight, GamesAid and SpecialEffect.

Andy said:

“I am really proud to have been included in the GamesIndustry.biz top 100 most influential people.

“Video games runs through my veins, I have worked in games since 1985 and love every single day of my various jobs. Being involved in esports with British Esports is another challenge that I am relishing. If I have learned one thing in my career it is that you are always learning.”

Other esports pioneers were also recognised within the top 100, including the likes of our advisory board members Craig Fletcher (Multiplay/GAME), Michael O’Dell (Team Dignitas) and Chris Mead from Twitch.

In addition, Véronique Lallier from Hi-Rez Studios, Spike Laurie from ESL, Sam Mathews from Fnatic and former Culture Minister Ed Vaizey – now chair of the International eGames Committee – were also recognised in the list.