French publishing giant Ubisoft has hired Guillemette Picard as its first-ever vice president of production technology.

In this role, Picard will be overseeing and guiding how games are made at the company. She will be reporting into Ubisoft's chief studios operating officer, Virginie Haas.

Picard has worked on the tech side of things for 16 years now, having held roles at the likes of energy firm Schlumberger, the European Investment Bank, finance firm Allianz and French health firm Nabla.

“Ubisoft has a long-standing culture of technology-inspired innovation, and I am thrilled to be joining forces with such passionate and expert teams,” Picard said.

“Production technology is key to creating memorable and enriching gaming experiences. I am looking forward to building on the group’s existing strengths and identifying new opportunities for growth and innovation that will benefit both teams and players.”

Haas added: “Technology has always been an enabler for Ubisoft’s innovation. Now more than ever, it is the foundation that enables us to push the boundaries of our medium, remove barriers for our teams and players, and bring to life some of the most creative, memorable games in the world. Guillemette’s exemplary leadership and deep experience across multiple tech-driven companies and sectors will be invaluable assets in unlocking Ubisoft’s full potential to produce and operate the best games, now and in the future.”

Ubisoft recently hired BBC vet Lisa Opie to head up its Reflections and Leamington studios.