The boss of the UK’s leading games trade association insists the UK Government must protect the creative sector in light of Brexit.
Dr Richard Wilson, chief executive of TIGA, has warned of the importance of ensuring the games sector does not suffer as a result of last Thursday’s decisive vote.
Though TIGA remained impartial throughout the referendum debate, Dr Wilson fears ongoing uncertainty surrounding the UK’s future could lead to “a reduced appetite for investment”.
He also expressed concerns relating to possible changes to the country’s immigration laws.
He said: “The UK video games industry is a high technology sector that provides high skilled employment for over 30,000 people, including approximately 11,000 development staff and which contributes £1.1 billion to UK GDP.
“It is also export oriented, with at least 95 per cent of studios exporting.
“Difficulty accessing capital has consistently been the top factor holding back many games developers. In an uncertain economic environment, there may be a reduced appetite for investment.”
He continued: “Any new points based migration system must not be onerous or complicated, otherwise the industry’s growth could be held back.
“It’s very important that there is a favourable environment for attracting talent.
“There is a feeling within the industry that we need certainty as to what happens next.”
TIGA has already warned that the impact of Brexit on designer’s intellectual property rights could be “significant”.
Ensuring designers have access to a favourable tax system and sufficient cash flow has also been highlighted as crucial for politicians to consider.
Whilst he remains confident the sector can continue to flourish, Dr Wilson admits many within the sector were surprised by the Brexit vote
He revealed: “It has come as a shock.
“Most assumed that we would remain in the EU.”
