The co-founder and MD of Sheffield, UK-headquartered work-for-hire specialist Sumo Digital Paul Porter has stepped down as MD.

He has joined the board of parent company Sumo Group as its chief operating officer, with the managing director role at Sumo Digital being filled by portfolio director Gary Dunn.

Dunn joined Sumo Digital in October 2017 with over 15 years of experience and a CV that includes stints at the likes of Codemasters and Creative Assembly.

“The past 18 months have been very active and incredibly exciting for Sumo Group," the CEO of Sumo Group Carl Cavers said.

"Following the addition of our Newcastle studio, formerly a CCP Games studio, we acquired The Chinese Room and Red Kite Games, before going on to open our ninth studio in Leamington Spa, which will focus on mobile game development. We recently revealed two original game titles for the new Apple Arcade platform and have today announced substantial profit and revenue growth in 2018. Paul and Gary’s appointments strengthen and broaden our management structures, providing further scope to grow our business across the globe, delivering great financial performance as a group and outstanding games for our clients.”

This follows a busy year or so for Sumo Digital. The firm floated at the end of 2017 with a valuation of $194m. The firm snapped up CCP's Newcastle-based VR-focused studio, which had been closed, as well as Dear Esther studio The Chinese Room in August 2018 and fellow work-for-hire developer Red Kite game at the start of 2019.

The firm has made wave of new hires for marketing director and commercial director positions in the UK, as well as a brand new head of studio for its Indian outpost.