13 August 2021

Keywords Studios plc

("Keywords Studios", "Keywords")

Appointment of two Non-Executive Directors

Keywords Studios, the international technical and creative services provider to the global video games industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marion Sears and Neil Thompson to its Board as independent Non-Executive Directors with immediate effect.

Marion had an extensive career in the City as an analyst and subsequently in investment banking and international M&A. Over the last 20 years she has served on a number of private and public company boards as a Non-Executive Director. She has acted as a Senior Independent Director and has chaired Remuneration, Nomination and Corporate Responsibility committees during this time, giving her long-standing PLC experience and stakeholder understanding. Marion is currently a Non-Executive Director at Dunelm Group plc where she has designated responsibility for workforce engagement. She is also Senior Independent Director at Fidelity European Trust plc and Aberdeen New Dawn Investment Trust plc.

Marion will be a member of the Board's Remuneration Committee, its ESG Committee and its Audit Committee.

Neil has over 25 years' experience in the technology sector, holding a number of senior positions within Microsoft Corporation. He was part of the management team that launched Xbox into Europe and for a number of years ran Microsoft's Consumer and Devices business across EMEA. He has extensive experience of scaling new businesses across international territories and building resilient organisations in constantly changing environments. He is a Non-Executive Director at E.P. Barrus Ltd. and acts as a board advisor to start-up SaaS businesses.

Neil will be a member of the Board's ESG Committee and its Audit Committee.

Ross Graham, Chairman of Keywords Studios, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome Marion and Neil to the Keywords Board. We believe that Marion's deep expertise in capital markets and M&A, and Neil's strong experience in the sector and in scaling businesses internationally, will be invaluable to Keywords as we continue to build our global services platform organically and by acquisition."

For further information, please contact:

About Keywords Studios (www.keywordsstudios.com)

Keywords Studios is an international technical services provider to the global video games industry. Established in 1998, and now with over 65 facilities in 23 countries strategically located in Asia, Australia, the Americas and Europe, it provides integrated art creation, marketing services, game development, testing, localization, audio and player support services across more than 50 languages and 16 games platforms to a blue-chip client base of over 950 clients across the globe.

Keywords Studios has a strong market position, providing services to 23 of the top 25 most prominent games companies, including Activision Blizzard, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Konami, Microsoft, Riot Games, Square Enix, Supercell, TakeTwo, Epic Games and Ubisoft. Recent titles worked on include Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Anthem, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite, Clash Royale and Doom Eternal. Keywords Studios is listed on AIM, the London Stock Exchange regulated market (KWS.L).

Regulatory disclosures 

The following disclosures are made in accordance with Rule 17 and Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

Marion Jane Sears (also known by her married name of Marion Jane Harwood), aged 58, is, or has been during the last five years, a director or partner of the following companies/partnerships:

Current directorships/partnerships

Dunelm Group Plc

Fidelity European Trust Plc

WA Capital Limited

Aberdeen New Dawn Investment Trust Plc

Maplin Properties Limited

Shandon Associates Limited

Previous directorships/partnerships

Persimmon Plc

Octopus AIM VCT Plc

St. George's Hill Residents Association Limited

Premiumview Property Management Limited

Ms Sears holds no ordinary shares in the Company.

Richard Neil Thompson, aged 54, is, or has been during the last five years, a director or partner of the following companies/partnerships:

Current directorships/partnerships

E.P.Barrus Limited

Previous directorships/partnerships

None

Mr Thompson holds 891 ordinary shares in the Company.

There is no other information that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Schedule 2 paragraph (g) or Rule 17 of the AIM Rules for Companies.