Take us through your years in the industry and how you came to join it?
The Final Boss
Every month an industry leader wraps up MCV/DEVELOP with their unique insight
I was always supposed to be an architect but instead I spent nearly 12 years helping companies scale in the white-collar industry before I accidentally found myself in games after a short sabbatical. I wanted to carefully consider my next career move, so I took a six-month break. During that time, an industry peer reached out to ask if I was getting bored, and when I said, “absolutely,” he pointed me to a part-time role at Team17, where I helped set up their recruitment department. The rest, as they say, is history. For almost four years there I grew that department while working across HR and operations. I also project-managed several significant initiatives, including the fitting out of the new Wakefield HQ just before the pandemic hit. That’s when I realised how much I loved the games industry. After outgrowing my role, I moved into the world of a VR/XR startup before looking for something bigger, which led me to Airship. After my first hour of interviewing with Joe Harford (CEO), I knew I wanted to work with him. Airship is packed with potential, and I’ve been hooked ever since. From a recruiter to COO - it’s been a unique 17-year journey, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
What’s been the highlight of your time at Airship? I’ll be celebrating three years in April and honestly, it’s all been incredible. I don’t say that lightly. We’ve weathered the same storms as the rest of the industry, but we’ve done it through smart, strategic decision-making and avoiding an off-the-shelf approach to building a business. Airship has taught me so much, even after years of experience elsewhere.
One of the biggest highlights is managing the development and opening of our new HQ - a creative hub and studio for our crewmates. It’s been a pleasure to oversee that project and witness it come to life. Joe’s vision for the company has been inspiring, and I’m honoured to be part of making it happen. Over the past two years, I’ve led significant cultural transformation and organisational redesign projects and worked incredibly hard. It’s unbelievably rewarding to see those positive changes in play, and to have contributed to them.
Viki Freeman, COO at Airship Interactive
“Airship is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping how the games industry evolves, particularly in the development of creative talent”
50 | MCV/DEVELOP October/November 2024
What ambitions do you have for the future of Airship and yourself within the games industry? Airship is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping how the games industry evolves, particularly in the development of creative talent. Our L&D programs and R&D work are some of the best in the industry. I truly believe we’re about to showcase how a people-first approach can lead to commercial success. We’re growing on our own terms, and I’m excited for what’s to come. As for me, I’m not entirely sure where the future will take me, but if I ever leave Airship, I’d love to help other SMEs overcome their growth challenges. I’m passionate about consulting on how to redesign and reshape businesses to reach their full potential.
You spoke passionately at this year’s Women In Games Awards about your journey into games. What one piece of advice would you offer other women looking to get into and progress in this industry?
When you feel invisible or your voice seems lost, show up anyway, speak up anyway.
I spent too many years early in my career holding back out of fear.
Trust your instincts and the knowledge you’ve EARNED. Always remember, your success is interconnected with the people around you so stay humble, stay vocal, stay curious, and don’t lose your sense of self. Learning is the foundation of all my success. So never stop learning.
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