Just Add Water hires new biz dev chief, COO and director

pcgamesinsider.biz:

Developer Just Add Water (JAW) has hired three new members of staff for its management team.

The firm has snapped up business development director, Joel Benton, who previously has worked at the likes of Kuju, Sumo, Climax, Splash Damage, Rebellion and Ninja Theory. Meanwhile, former head of studio at EA's PopCap, Viktorya Hollings (pictured), has come on board as chief operations office. Finally, Bec Gilray has been hired as a director.

This comes in the wake of Just Add Water founder Stewart Gilray passing away at the start of 2022 from coronavirus.

"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," Hollings said.

"It’s exciting to be working with Joel, Bec, Les, our trusted Studio Director, and the super-talented developers here.”

Benton added: "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."

Gilray also added: “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