Games industry leader receives honorary doctorate

13th November 2013

The chief of one of the largest independent videogame developers in the world has been recognised by Sheffield Hallam University for his role in kickstarting creative digital industries in South Yorkshire.

 James North-Hearn, CEO of the Foundation 9 Entertainment Group, received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam at a graduation ceremony for students from the University's Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences at Sheffield City Hall today. James was previously development director of Gremlin (the Sheffield-based game developer), head of publishing for Infogrames, and a founding director of Sumo-Digital. In his position at Foundation 9, James presides over the activities of Sumo-Digital, who regularly take on placement students from Sheffield Hallam and have many Sheffield Hallam alumni amongst their staff. Following the ceremony, James visited the University's PlayStation 3 development lab and in-house game development studio, Steel Minions. On receiving the honorary award, James said: "I'd like to thank the University for this award, it is truly a great honour. Sheffield Hallam University is clearly making a real contribution to the evolution of digital media in Sheffield and throughout the UK. The videogame courses it offers are world class, and I'm proud to be associated with this university." Professor Roger Eccleston, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences, said: "James is a key figure in South Yorkshire's creative digital industries, and an internationally-recognised industry champion. He is a pioneer in the videogame industry, and used his background in electronic engineering to help construct development kits for some of the first game consoles. "He was one of the founders of Sumo-Digital and now, as CEO of Foundation 9 Entertainment, he oversees one of the largest global game development companies, responsible for delivering very successful titles in some of the most exciting gaming franchises in the world. "James rarely seeks the limelight, but his efforts over the years have contributed greatly to the game development legacy that we have here in Sheffield. So it is very fitting that he should receive this award from Sheffield Hallam University."