In a new report, it was confirmed that Brian Ward, Chief Executive Officer at Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group, has stepped down from his role. Ward entered the role in 2021, just as everything kicked off in earnest in Saudi Arabia, with a massive push into video games taking place as part of a huge diversification effort for the nation.
It was a move that gave way to events like the Esports World Cup, the most valuable and lavish competitive gaming event on Earth.
Now, Ward is dropping back from his role as CEO, right as the company sits on the precipice of acquiring Electronic Arts.
Savvy Pushes On As CEO Brian Ward Departs
In an internal message to Savvy Games Group staff acquired by Bloomberg News, it was confirmed that Brian Ward, CEO of the firm, is leaving the role. He said:
As Savvy embarks on its next period of transformational growth, this is the right time for new leadership for that evolution.
An interim CEO will take his place until a permanent replacement is found.
Ward had sat in the CEO position since 2021, pioneering the development of the Savvy Games Group conglomerate and spearheading a whopping investment fund worth $38 billion. It was handed down by the Saudi Arabian government via the PIF (Public Investment Fund), with a goal of boosting the nation’s gaming footprint.
Over the years, Savvy bought out companies like Scopely, making some shrewd acquisitions, while also not doing so well in other areas of the gaming space.
Most recently, the group became one of the most prolific faces in the landmark acquisition of Electronic Arts, which has been bought by a mixed cabal for a staggering $55 billion. Savvy Games Group was joined in that venture by Silver Lake Management and Affinity Partners, the latter of which has familial ties to Donald Trump.
There’s still a lot left in the investment pipeline for Savvy, but now it’ll all be handled under a new CEO.
Are you surprised to see Ward move on after a relatively short time at Savvy? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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