UK video games trade body Ukie has brought on board three new members of staff.

Industry veterans Vanessa Joyce (pictured, middle right) and Marie Claire Isaaman (pictured, right) have joined in corporate relations and strategic partnerships, and diversity and education research consultant roles respectively.

Meanwhile Laura Martin (pictured, far right) has been hired as programme development executive for Ukie’s Digital Schoolhouse initiative.

“I’m pleased we can bring the expertise of Vanessa and Marie-Claire along with their extensive knowledge, ideas and networks, to help scale the ambitions of Ukie on behalf of the UK games industry,” CEO Dr Jo Twist, OBE said.

“Laura’s digital marketing expertise will be hugely beneficial to the Digital Schoolhouse project at this important nationwide expansion period. They are all well-respected and talented and their experience will be a critical part of the Ukie team and our mission.”

Isaaman added: “I am extremely excited to begin work with Ukie as an Education, Diversity & Research consultant. I look forward to contributing my experience and knowledge in these fields to a wide range of projects and in developing new bodies of research for the sector to support, grow and promote the UK games and interactive industry.”

Commenting on her appointment, Joyce said: "I'm delighted to have the opportunity to work on this innovative new project with Ukie. We have an ambitious agenda and I feel really excited to see what can be achieved in the coming months...Watch this space".

And finally, new programme development exec Martin said: “Moving from marketing into the games industry, I’m really is excited to help bridge the gap between Education, Creative and Tech sectors so we can continue to inspire the future generation of digital creative talent and revolutionise the teaching and perception of computing in schools.”