A New Beginning for the team at Just Add Water – Just Add Water Expands with New Management Trio
Studio expansion and multiple projects in the pipeline
March 2022. Leeds, UK.
Just Add Water, the co-developer of award-winning titles for partners including Rebellion, Sony, Oddworld, Codemasters and the BBC appoints Joel Benton as Business Development Director, Viktorya Hollings as Chief Operations Officer and Bec Gilray as Director.
Following the sad death of widely respected co-founder Stewart Gilray in January 2022, the new management will build on his legacy and enact the plans he had in place to grow the studio. Just Add Water will move to new offices in the Summer, in preparation to expand to around 60 people over the next 18 months. The studio has projects underway, with more in the pipeline for partners in the UK and USA, including a full reboot of a recently purchased IP.
About the new management team:
Joel has a long and successful track record of representing and building studios. With over 20 years in the industry, he has worked with studios including Kuju Entertainment, Sumo Digital, Climax, Splash Damage, Ninja Theory, Rebellion and many others across the world, securing publishing and development deals across all platforms and genres.
Viktorya brings a wealth of experience in leading large studios and small, specialist teams, guiding them from start-up growth to IPO. As Head of Studio at PopCap Games/EA, she grew and launched the hit mobile titles Bejeweled and Plants Vs Zombies, and the innovative Medical Training VR which is currently being trialled at Stanford University.
Bec, is an award-winning entrepreneur who has run her own creative, design business for 12 years. An avid gamer and champion of her late husband Stewart and the team at Just Add Water, she brings her marketing, social media and entrepreneurial expertise to the team.
Joel Benton, Business Development Director said:
Over the years Stew and I often discussed the strategy for building the studio which ultimately concluded with me putting my money where my mouth is and investing in the business towards the end of last year. Although I’m devastated to embark on this journey without my great friend, I’m delighted to be part of a forward-looking management and development team with an enviable track record. The team is in a terrific place to combine its wonderful ideas with its technical and design abilities, particularly in VR.
Viktorya Hollings, Chief Operations Officer, said:
“Having worked with Stew and the team at Just Add Water last year, as a consultant, it felt right to come on board and be part of taking the studio forward. It’s exciting to be working with Joel, Bec, Les, our trusted Studio Director, and the super-talented developers here.”
Bec Gilray, Director said:
“After 16 years of walking beside Stew as he built Just Add Water and planned for the future, I’m happy to be working with our new management team as we move the company forward. The developers, both past and present, have played a huge role in making Just Add Water what it is, and I’m looking forward to bringing new team members on board as we build a studio that we can all be proud of.”
Follow Just Add Water on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/justddwaterdev
Twitter – https://twitter.com/justaddwaterdev
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/just-add-water-development
Website – https://justaddwaterdevelopment.com
Press Enquiries:
Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR:
T: +44(7966 449130) E: alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk
About Just Add Water
Founded in 2006 Leeds, UK based, award-winning developer Just Add Water has built a reputation as a creative and trusted co-development partner for high-profile partners including Microsoft and Sony. Adding water expands things – Just Add Water the studio, has successfully expanded many successful franchises including, Sniper Elite: VR and Doctor Who: Edge of Reality.