The CEO of a Liverpool-based game studio has announced he鈥檚 stepping down after 20 years.
Jonathan Holmes is handing over the reins of Milky Tea Studios to general manager, Chris Wood.
Holmes founded the games studio in 2005 but said 鈥榠t feels like the right moment to take a step back, recharge, and spend some more time with my family鈥�.
In 2023 video gaming group Aonic acquired a majority stake in the business.
Holmes added: 鈥淚鈥檓 46, and while there are more adventures ahead, I鈥檓 pressing pause for now to reflect and reset.
鈥淏ack in 2005, a good friend and I started Milky Tea with a simple idea, if we couldn鈥檛 work for our dream company, then we鈥檇 build it ourselves. And honestly, I think we did just that.
鈥淢ilky Tea has taken me on the most incredible journey. From illustration and animation through to my passion for video games.
鈥淚鈥檝e overseen a wide range of creative projects and worked with my dream clients, had the honour of winning and being shortlisted for some globes biggest awards, raised finance, travelled the world, opened studios in Liverpool and London, and most importantly, collaborated with some of the most talented and passionate people out there.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been one heck of a ride, packed with laughs, memories, and friendships I鈥檒l always treasure.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud to be handing over to our brilliant general manager, Chris Wood. He鈥檚 played a huge role in Milky Tea鈥檚 recent success, and there鈥檚 no one better to lead the team into its next chapter.
鈥淎 massive thank you to Aonic for supporting me with this decision and their faith in the team at Milky Tea; and to everyone who鈥檚 helped me on this journey, I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for everything.
鈥淚鈥檝e created some amazing memories, and friendships that will stay with me forever.鈥�
Holmes said he wasn鈥檛 sure what he鈥檇 be doing but would be 鈥榚xploring a new path鈥� after enjoying some downtime.
鈥淚n the meantime, I鈥檒l be cheering on Milky Tea and Aonic from the sidelines, and I know there are some amazing things in the works,鈥� he said.