Posted: 21/12/12
Games Workshop founder to visit college
One of the world’s leading pioneers of interactive entertainment and fiction is set to inspire budding tycoons at West Nottinghamshire College.
Ian Livingstone OBE, co-founder of Games Workshop and co-author of the multi-million-selling Fighting Fantasy gamebook series, will share his tips for success with members of the college’s Vision Entrepreneur programme on Thursday 10 January.
Vision Entrepreneur has been set up to coach would-be business people from the college, local schools and the community through monthly sessions, which include inspirational speakers and tips from industry experts. Those whose ideas have the most potential will receive one-to-one mentoring and the backing to develop their plans further.
January’s session will see Mr Livingstone talk about his role as advisor to the government and the British Council, as well as his position as executive chairman of Eidos, the company behind the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider franchise.
During his visit, Mr Livingstone will tour the college’s new £5m Create building and take part in a question and answer session with computer science and creative arts students. He will also give a filmed interview with interactive media students in the Create TV studios, giving them a chance to showcase their camera skills.
Asha Khemka OBE, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, said: “To have one of the founding fathers of the UK games industry visit the college and speak about his business endeavours is a real honour.
“Ian’s rise to success is clearly down to a recipe of hard work, determination and a passion for the industry and I hope that our audience at the next Vision Entrepreneur event are inspired by his speech and can begin to apply such qualities into nurturing their own business ideas and concepts.”
In 2011, Mr Livingstone co-authored the Next Gen review for the government, recommending changes in education policy to bring computer science into the national curriculum as an essential discipline.
Earlier this year, he was ranked the 16th most influential person in the UK’s digital economy in the Wired 100 list for 2012.
Individuals interested in becoming a member of Vision Entrepreneur should contact Rachel Bates on 01623 627191 ext. 8019 or email rachel.bates@wnc.ac.uk
