New Nintendo UK boss named – meet Simon Kemp

Nintendo has this afternoon named the new general manager of its UK operation: Simon Kemp.

Kemp hails from outside the games industry.

He began his career as a graduate trainee atUnilever in 1988 and during his time thereworked across a number of different categories in a variety of commercial roles at both local and international level, before becoming European channel marketing manager in 1999.

In 2003 Kemp was appointed as marketing director for Lucozade in GlaxoSmithKline’s beverage division. Whilst there, he oversaw the brand resurgence and sales growth of over one hundred percent on Lucozade which led to him being promoted to VP of marketing & innovation in 2008 before taking a prominent role in GlaxoSmithKline’s Mergers and Acquisitions department.

Kemp replaces David Yarnton, who stepped down from the post after almost a decade in the role, in the summer.

Senior NUK staffShelly Pearce, marketing & PR director, sales director Andy Yates and Tom Pearce finance director, will report directly to Kemp.

In an official statement to day Kemp said: I’m extremely excited to be joining Nintendo UK at such a pivotal moment. With the launch of Wii U Nintendo is once again changing the way everyone will play games at home,it’s a fantastic time to be here. Nintendo UK also has an extremely talented team in place already and I am very much looking forward to leading & working with each and every one of them.”

Satoru Shibata, President of Nintendo of Europe added: Simon brings fantastic brand experience with him and we were immediately impressed with his versatility and leadership. We believe he can make a huge contribution to the launch period of Wii U as well as the continued growth of Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL in the UK & Ireland.”