Ubisoft just made headlines by announcing the co-CEOs of its newly formed Tencent-backed subsidiary, including none other than Charlie Guillemot, the son of current CEO Yves Guillemot.
This new venture, which Ubisoft revealed earlier this year, comes after a hefty €1.16 billion investment from Tencent. The goal? To take the reins on Ubisoft’s biggest franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, while operating independently of the main company.
Charlie will share the stage as co-CEO with Christophe Derennes, a Ubisoft veteran with 35 years under his belt. Derennes previously helmed the renowned Montreal studio and has served as the managing director for Ubisoft in North America.
Together, their mission is clear: They’ll define the strategy and vision for these flagship brands while fostering an environment for the teams to operate at their highest potential.
“With complementary backgrounds, Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot bring strong industry expertise, deep knowledge of the Ubisoft ecosystem, and a shared culture of innovation,” Ubisoft commented.
Addressing the inevitable concerns of nepotism following his appointment, Charlie Guillemot offered a candid view. “I get where the concern comes from,” he said. “Yes, I’m Yves’ son, but this appointment is about what Ubisoft needs right now.”
He elaborated that his decade of experience, both within and outside the company, qualifies him to take on this pivotal role. “What matters now isn’t my name, it’s the work ahead,” he emphasized. “Ubisoft is at a pivotal moment. It’s my job to help push the company forward and create conditions for everyone to thrive.”
Tencent holds a minority stake in this newly spun-off entity, which remains under Ubisoft’s full control. The industry is certainly watching to see how this dynamic leadership duo will shape the future of some of the gaming world’s most beloved franchises.