This profile forms part of a series of interviews produced as part of Game Republic’s 20th Anniversary celebrations supported by our Official Partners Barclays, Escape Technology and Red Kite Games.
Elaine Dowman is Head of Games and Creatives Industries at Barclays. She leads the games and creative industries team at Barclays, leading the bank’s strategy and its implementation, in both the UK and globally. Her focus is on identifying opportunities where Barclays can better support the games and creative industries, to help businesses grow from banking and beyond. In her role Elaine has led several initiatives and events that support the growth of the games industry, such as Demo Days, accelerator programmes, awards, and of course the sponsorship of Game Republic’s 20th Anniversary activity this year. Elaine is passionate about the creativity and innovation of games businesses and the talented people working in it, and to that end, she spends a lot of her time helping indie developers to grow their businesses and get exposure for their games.
What is great about working in the games industry?
Games is such a creative and innovative industry, there is always something new and exciting happening or launching. The people are what really make an industry, and not only do we have exceptional talent but broadly speaking, I feel the industry is very supportive of one another.
What words of advice do you have for people starting in the games industry?
My top tip is to get out to events and meet people in the industry. Build your network as there are so many founders who will have great advice from their experience and lots of contacts to help you on your journey. Also look out for local games groups in your area, like Game Republic and get involved in the local events and initiatives it runs. We at Barclays also run several games industry events and demo days, you can see what’s coming up by visiting: Games.barclays
Barclays has over 34 Eagle Labs (tech business incubator locations) across the country with 6 being games industry biased locations – Sheffield is one of those locations, where we can provide specialist game industry support and connections.
What work have you been doing in the region to support the games industry?
Barclays has over 34 Eagle Labs (tech business incubator locations) across the country with 6 being games industry biased locations – Sheffield is one of those locations, where we can provide specialist game industry support and connections.
We have been members of Game Republic for almost four years and through that relationship we have supported numerous events within Yorkshire and Northern games businesses such as the student showcase, GaMaYo events and networking events through our partnership for Game Republic’s 20th anniversary in 2023. We are looking forward to lots of great events in 2023, to create greater exposure for games businesses across Yorkshire and the North.
What has been a highlight of your career so far in this industry?
An annual highlight for me is the Games Frenzy event we run at Barclays each year. We invite the games industry into our Head office in Canary Wharf, where we take over a whole floor for a day and hold a series of Games talks and exhibitions. As well as panel discussions and fireside chats with games industry leaders, we invite exhibitors from across the industry to showcase – from university students, indie developers and charities to rapidly growing studios, all demonstrating their innovation and passion for the sector.
I love this event as it’s great to meet so many new people in the industry, see the incredible work from studios and students. It’s a great networking opportunity and I look forward to it every year. If you’d like to attend this free event check out Games.barclays or follow us on LinkedIn @barclays games and esports for further announcements and more Games and industry insight.
What influence do you think Barclays and similar types of organisation can have on the sector?
When setting up a games studio founders are obviously very focused on building their game and not always aware of the support they will need from industry services business, whether it be accounting, legal, marketing or banking. Having a bank with a specialist games industry team and a national network of industry champions means that as a bank we have the knowledge and experience of the industry and are best placed to support. Taking the time to understand the industry is key, as it is a unique, innovative and dynamic industry.
Yorkshire and The North have a thriving indie scene whilst also being home to some of the biggest and best UK games businesses and Game Republic has created a great community with these businesses to help support and guide each other.
What do you think of the role of Game Republic?
Yorkshire and The North have a thriving indie scene whilst also being home to some of the biggest and best UK games businesses and Game Republic has created a great community with these businesses to help support and guide each other. That is what attracted us to becoming members four years ago. We wanted to see what value we could add to this great games body.
Game Republic plays a key role in attracting funding, creating greater support and exposure for businesses in The North and Yorkshire. Its also a great place to start to build your local network.
Why is the region a good place to do business?
We recently posted an article on our website about why Yorkshire is a great place to set up a games business – see here. We spoke to Jamie Sefton at Game Republic and local studios and it really resonates with that sense of community within the industry I feel is present. To add to that, the talent coming from universities’ potential funding/ grants and can-do attitude make it a very special place for making games.
What projects / events and initiatives are coming up?
As partners for the 20th Anniversary for Game Republic I’m really looking forward to attending a number of the special events this year, including the GameDevDay with Game Republic and GaMa Yo on the 10th of May.
As previously mentioned, we have our Flagship Barclays Games event, our Games Frenzy each year at our head office in Canary Wharf. Our last one in May was great and attracted lots of exhibitors and showcases of new games. Visit Games.barclays or follow us on LinkedIn @barclays games and esports for announcements and registration to attend.
