Future strengthens games portfolio with new senior appointments

Future has announced the appointment of James Binns as Head of Edge International and PC Gaming and Simon Maxwell as Group Publisher, Console and Online.

Future’s UK games portfolio includes eleven monthly print titles, and sites GamesRadar,and CVG, along with FirstPlay, and the Golden Joystick Awards.

James Binns moves from his role as Publishing Director to oversee the international development of Edge, PC Gamer and PC Zone.

Simon Maxwell moves from his role as Group Publisher for Total Film, SFX and DVD Review, to oversee official and independent console titles as well as websites CVG and GamesRadar. Simon has over ten years publishing experience from roles with Future, IPC and Cabal Communications.

He joined Future in 2004, and Nial Ferguson, Publishing Director for Entertainment and Tech Lifestyle, will assume responsibility for the film portfolio while recruitment for a new Group Publisher is underway.

“The introduction of two new senior roles in our games portfolio will help us to further build our position as a world-leading games media company and expand our business across print, online, events and on-console," said Future chief executive Robert Price. "Simon is a great fit for this new role overseeing our console and online brands: he has proven, outstanding commercial acumen and leadership skills, having led in building Future’s film portfolio into a high-profile and commercially successful business.

"James’ games industry expertise is second-to-none and his new role will enable him to focus on growing Edge into a truly international brand and on managing the next stage for our PC gaming portfolio.”

Earlier in the week, Future announced FirstPlay, an interactive magazine for PSN similar to the US version of Qore.

Weekly episodes will be available to buy at £8.99 on a three-month sub or 99p per episode.