Jo Twist Obe

Jo has been CEO of Ukie since January 2012. Ukie is the trade body for games and interactive entertainment businesses in the UK and has a mission to make the UK the best place in the world to make games.

Previously, Jo was Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Education where she commissioned Digital Emmy-winning Battlefront II, free to play browser and iOS games, including Sweatshop, Nomnation and International Racing Squirrels and social media projects. Earlier in her career, Jo was Multiplatform Commissioner for BBC Entertainment & Switch, BBC Three Multiplatform Channel Editor and in a former life a technology reporter for BBC News.

With a background in digital media, education, creative technology and youth culture – and a PhD in online communities, identity and young people – Jo brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of interactive entertainment including media, technical innovation and creativity, commercial and political issues. Jo is Deputy Chair of British Screen Forum, a London Tech Ambassador, a Bafta Games Committee member and sits on a number of other boards and advisory groups. She is one of the Top 100 UK Women in Video Games, on the MCV 100 Brit list in the games industry and is a BIMA Hot 100 in digital. She is a Vice President for games and accessibility charity, Special Effect.