Gina Jackson, Games industry pioneer and Honorary Fellow made an OBE in 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours

Gina Jackson is to be made an OBE for her services to Education and Diversity in the Video Games Industry in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Gina, a Visiting Professor to our BA (Hons) Games Art and Design and BSc (Hons) Games Development courses since 2013, began her games industry career in the early 1990s working for iconic companies including Ocean Software, Nokia, Eidos and Sony.

Passionate about education and diversity in the games industry, Gina served as CEO of Women in Games and developed the award-winning Aspiring Women mentoring programme.

As Managing Director, Gina went on to set up the NextGen Skills Academy, an organisation bringing industry and education together in Games, Animation and VFX.

NextGen deliver industry developed qualifications and courses to ensure students have the skills that employers need. She continues to be involved as a non-executive board member.

In 2019, Gina was made an Honorary Fellow for her services to the Games Industry. She is also a Vice Chair of the charity GamesAid, a trustee for the mental health charity Safe in our World focusing on the gamers and those working in the sector and is Chair of the National Video Games Museum’s Advisory Board.

Gina is currently Development Director at Sold Out.

Vice Chancellor Professor John Last said: “Gina is an outstanding advocate for diversity in the games industry and an inspiration to students at NUA. We’re delighted that Gina’s contribution is being honoured in this way.”

Header image: Nikki Rose, BA Games Art and Design