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David Braben steps down as Frontier CEO

David Braben steps down as Frontier CEO

The founder of Frontier Developments, David Braben (pictured), is stepping down as its CEO

In a release to investors, the company said that Braben was vacating the chief exec position, but will still be with the firm as the president of its board. Replacing Braben as CEO is Jonny Watts who has spent the last decade as chief creative officer.

Braben founded Frontier back in 1994 and has served as its CEO ever since. Watts has been with Frontier since 1998 when he joined as a software developer. In 2002 he was promoted to head of production before rising to director of production three years later. In 2012 he took the chief creative officer role.

"Frontier is very important to me, and I am delighted to be able to pass on my CEO responsibilities to the exceptionally talented Jonny Watts, who I know will do a terrific job," Braben said.

"He has the perfect combination of creative leadership and gaming vision to build on the excellent momentum in the business. I am looking forward to my new role at Frontier, and this change enables me to focus on our longer-term strategic opportunities."

Watts added: "I am excited to step up and lead Frontier into the next chapter of our growth. We have an amazing team and an exceptional culture of high-quality creativity and inclusivity. I'm looking forward to working with David and the wider Board to take us to still greater success. We look forward with great confidence."


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PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.