Profile: Martyn Gibbs, Game chief executive

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Parachuted back into Game under new owner OpCapita, the keen gamer will lead a quest for its turnaround.

Martyn Gibbs

When Martyn Gibbs returned to Game last week to lead the retailer’s recovery, the relief felt by staff at the Basingstoke head office was clear to see.

As he entered the office for the first time since leaving last year, he was welcomed with a standing ovation.

Gibbs, a senior Game executive until last summer, has been parachuted in to lead the turnaround under new owner OpCapita, the investment firm that also owns Comet.

The 41-year-old’s return to Game was well received by an emotional workforce that had been put through the mill in recent weeks, culminating in the retailer hitting the buffers last month, making it the largest administration of a listed retailer since Woolworths.

Administrator PwC immediately shuttered 277 Game shops, resulting in 2,104 redundancies.

The warm welcome “shows the loyalty and respect that Game’s staff have for Martyn Gibbs”, according to Andy Payne, a friend of Gibbs and the chair of trade body UK Interactive Entertainment.

Gibbs’ return represents a fresh start for Game, after the OpCapita deal saved 333 UK stores and 3,200 jobs. But the turnaround will not be easy. Game was struggling under an unserviceable debt pile that led to suppliers losing confidence and halting supply of key titles.

Gibbs has a tough job on his hands to breathe new life into Game’s relationships with its suppliers, as well as with customers.

But he is the right man for that job, according to Payne. “Martyn Gibbs is Mr Video Games as far as retail goes and, alongside a few veteran indies, he is the most experienced games retailer there is,” says Payne. “Martyn has an unrivalled reputation in the games industry and that is absolutely key, given the challenges faced by the industry from new players, principally in the digital space.”

The keen gamer began his retail career working on the tills at WHSmith one Christmas. He ended up working there for 11 years, latterly becoming games and multimedia buyer.

He then spent three years at HMV leading its games business, before joining Gamestation as commercial director.

Gibbs was managing director of the retailer when it was later acquired by Game - a deal that many observers have said played a large part in Game’s eventual downfall, saddling it with too many stores.

Gibbs latterly took on the critical role of Game managing director for the UK and Eire, Scandinavia and the Czech Republic before exiting the retailer last year. Since then, Game’s fortunes have spiralled. It looked as if was game over until OpCapita swooped in, providing it with an extra life.

Crucially, according to posts left on his LinkedIn profile last year, he seems popular with suppliers. “Martyn isn’t afraid to make the tough decisions when they are needed,” posted Electronic Arts vice-president and general manager, Northern Europe, Keith Ramsdale.

Nintendo UK general manager David Yarnton described Gibbs as “well respected”. He added: “His retail knowledge and very strong leadership has been undeniable.”

Neil Thompson, general manager of Microsoft’s UK consumer channels group, said Gibbs “is true to his word and completely trustworthy”. Importantly, given Game’s travails, he also said: “He understands how to build strong partner relationships.”

Gibbs describes himself as experienced in multichannel, which will also be a key plank of the Game turnaround, along with greater focus on customer relationship management. After loyalty cards and gift cards were suspended during the administration process, the new management team began the process of reinstating both over the weekend - an important step in getting customers back onside.

While some observers will question the need for a bricks-and-mortar games retailer, the industry will hope Game can take advantage of its strong brand as well as its potential to be a true multichannel retailer. Gibbs will be working hard to capitalise on upcoming, and much needed, hardware releases, including Wii U.

If Gibbs gets it right, he may well earn another standing ovation not just from staff but from suppliers and customers too, who will all benefit from a thriving games specialist on the high street.