17 Facts About Debbie Bestwick

Debbie Bestwick was the company's co-manager until buying out the other founders' stakes in 2010 to become chief executive officer.

Debbie Bestwick has been awarded various accolades related to the video game industry between 2015 and 2017, and was pronounced a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in June 2016.

Debbie Bestwick stepped down as CEO of Team17 on 1 January 2024.

Deborah Jayne Debbie Bestwick was born on 7 March 1970 and attended Holgate School in Hucknall.

Debbie Bestwick gained interest in video games at the age of twelve, when she played Football Manager on her brother's ZX Spectrum.

Debbie Bestwick described the idea of working with video games as "heaven" and never returned to finish her exams.

Shortly into her job, the store's owner stepped down and had Debbie Bestwick take over the business.

Debbie Bestwick managed the store for twelve months before negotiating its sale to entrepreneur Michael Robinson and its integration into his UK-wide computer retail chain Microbyte, which was headquartered in Wakefield.

At Microbyte, Debbie Bestwick was repeatedly promoted, eventually becoming promotions manager and later sales manager.

Debbie Bestwick would act as the project manager and hire a Swedish three-man team from Olofstrom, known as Team 7, as developers.

Debbie Bestwick was listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market and Bestwick received around in windfall gain for the sale of half of her shares.

Debbie Bestwick intended to step down as CEO of Team17 to be replaced by Steve Bell on 1 January 2024 to transition to a non-executive role while remaining on the board of directors.

Debbie Bestwick is single with two children and resides in the countryside north of Nottingham.

At the first Women in Games conference in September 2015, organised by MCV, Debbie Bestwick was presented with the "Hall of Fame" award.

At the second iteration, held in May 2016, Debbie Bestwick won "Businesswoman of the Year".

At the 2016 Birthday Honours Debbie Bestwick was pronounced a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for her services in the video game industry.

At the 2017 Golden Joystick Awards, Debbie Bestwick was awarded in the category for "Outstanding Contribution to the UK Games Industry".