Management Team

With a balance of experience in teaching and quality management alongside industry specific and gaming & esports knowledge, our management team manages the structure of our academy, protects our learners, guides our strategy and leads our people.

Academic Leadership

Ian Bolton

Learning & Development Director

I have worked for over 25 years in youth development, community education and formal education, in that time remaining resolutely passionate that education stays at the cutting edge, meeting young people’s needs and ever developing learning styles, ensuring the next generation always receive the best access and opportunities to engage, challenge and improve their areas of learning interest. At the Innovation Esports Skills Academy we are extremely excited to be providing a suite of progressive, innovative and engaging programmes that meet all our learners’ requirements.

Recognising that gaming and esports are a passion point for people, and as the technologies and skills within the sector have evolved to span across industries, we offer all our students a gateway of opportunity, supporting them as they move onwards into a successful and fulfilling career. We are able to offer unparalleled access to leading edge industry expertise, talent and live business developments. Ultimately, we want to support our young people into our ever growing and evolving industry. Myself and the team are committed to delivering all elements of these multitudinous educational opportunities, ensuring that we deliver the highest quality pathways, letting our young people move their interest, to a passion, into a multi-faceted career opportunity.

Governance Board

The board are here to provide counsel on strategic planning, education framework and funding. Our board members come to us with a diverse range of backgrounds including retail, tech, law and small business ownership. Our board also exercise guardianship over assets and resources, ensuring their effective management, control and use.

Paul Bolton

Chair

Paul has over 25 years experience at the highest levels of retail and consumer brands delivering commercial growth, operational leadership and business transformation. He is currently a board director with several businesses and a mentor for Young Enterprise.

Taz Rose

Member

Taz has over 20 years experience as a technologist architecting innovative digital solutions for global brands. He specialises in combining edge technologies and is credited with setting up the UK’s first dedicated esports arena.