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David Yarnton is to leave Nintendo, the platform-holder has confirmed to MCV this morning.
Yarnton has worked at Nintendo for almost 20 years, holding positions at the Australian and UK offices.
He was first a sales director at Nintendo Australia and moved to the UK business in 2003.
Nintendo UK has, since Yarnton’s appointment as GM nine years ago, made huge gains in market share first through the DS and then the Wii. The UK has the highest penetration of Wii consoles than any other territory on the planet.
In a statement the firm said: "Nintendo of Europe announces with regret that David Yarnton has decided to pursue opportunities for a change of career outside Nintendo and therefore will shortly be leaving the company."
"David has had a distinguished career of almost 20 years at Nintendo.
"Nintendo wishes him every success in his choice of new career."
In his stead, Satoru Shibata, the European president of Nintendo, willbe working alongside the UK’s senior management teamand "will be actively involved in the running of the UK office until a replacement is announced".
And to many, this will feel like ‘end of an era’ for Nintendo UK – Yarnton is the latest key exec to depart for new opportunities after having enjoyed huge successes at the fim. Marketing boss Dawn Paine moved to Universal in March, with marketeer Rob Lowe moving to a senior marketing role at BBC Worldwide just a few weeks ago. UK communications chief Robert Saunders also moved to a role at Apple a year ago.
The full statement from Nintendo reads:
"Nintendo of Europe announces with regret that David Yarnton has decided to pursue opportunities for a change of career outside Nintendo and therefore will shortly be leaving the company. David has had a distinguished career of almost 20 years at Nintendo, first as Sales Director of Nintendo Australia and then, since 2003, as General Manager of Nintendo UK. Nintendo wishes him every success in his choice of new career. Mr Shibata, European President of Nintendo, willbe working alongside the UK’s senior management teamand will be actively involved in the running of the UK office until a replacement is announced."
