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LISA MORGAN TRIBUTE
A fond farewell After 14 years, Lisa Morgan has stepped down as CEO of GAME Group. We take a look back at her career so far – and industry figures pay tribute to the woman who oversaw the market’s best and biggest specialist... Neil Thompson, Microsoft I’ve worked with Lisa for a number of years and although she’s always been a tough negotiator, she’s always been someone I’ve trusted and respected. GAME has been a great partner for Microsoft since we entered the console business and much of the joint growth we’ve both seen over the years has been down to Lisa’s stewardship and commitment to the industry – we’ll all miss her.
Keith Ramsdale, EA Lisa and I go back a long, long way to when I was a salesman at LMP (which became Radica) and she was a buyer at Tandy (if anyone remembers them) and then onto Dixons. Lisa is one of those rare people who will negotiate everything you have out of you but leave you feeling like you had a result. She is a warm lady who I have grown to admire, respect and have enjoyed a genuine personal friendship with. In my view, Lisa has done much more than drive incredible performance and execution at GAME. I think her work as one of the few specialist retailers in any category in this country has fundamentally helped shape the UK games industry. The UK is a strong gaming country. I think GAME – as an incredibly strong retailer – has helped shape that and the UK gaming community from industry folk to consumers alike have Lisa to thank. Walk into any store that sells games in any part of the world and you soon realise what a talented retailer Lisa is. We will miss her and I can’t wait to see where she pops up next.
Ray Maguire, SCE UK Over the last 20 years I’ve seen Lisa grow from buyer to CEO. At every step of the way she’s shown enthusiasm and tenacity coupled with humility. I’m proud to call her a friend and I’m sure that, with her track record, she’ll go from strength to strength.
Andy Payne, Mastertronic A top person in every way. Lisa will be sadly missed by many. She was one of the home-grown industry execs who fought her way to the top. You always had a win-win deal when Lisa was involved and she shaped GAME in a way that was fair and respected partnerships. I wish her the very best with whatever she does next. Good luck to Martin and the rest of the team, just keep calm and carry on.
LISA MORGAN has been in the games industry since 1990. At just 19 she started her career as a toy buyer at Tandy and her remit included bringing in the first Game Boy handhelds. Following Tandy she moved fully into games retail, taking a position at Future Zone, before joining Dixons as a software buyer. By 1997 Morgan was working for the UK arm of US retail giant Electronics Boutique – the chain had by this stage bought out Morgan’s previous employer, Future Zone. In 1999 Electronics Boutique acquired GAME and in 2002, with Morgan on the Board, GAME cut its ties with its USparent to become an independent business. It was in October 2006 when she was promoted to Chief Executive. During her time as CEO she oversaw the most successful period in GAME’s history – including the acquisition of main rival GameStation. In April 2010 Lisa Morgan stepped down as CEO of GAME Group after 14 years in the business. During her time at the retailer, she helped transform the company from a mid-sized UK chain of just 200 stores, to an international games giant of 1,400 outlets across nine European countries, as well as Australia.
Rod Cousens, Codemasters I first met Lisa as an unassuming buyer at Dixons. Still waters run deep and so it proved as Lisa went on to impose her imprint on a troubled GAME and oversaw a marked rise in its performance and its importance in the European gaming space. While fighting its corner, it is also a strong partner to publishers and Lisa understood the need to be so. She assembled a strong organisation, oversaw rapid growth and built shareholder value in her tenure. Running public companies is never easy but she rose to the task and her track record needs no defending. Lisa played her part in this industry, looking beyond her immediate remit and wanting to help others. She has also supported my nagging requests to get behind industry charity initiatives and got involved in the cause. Lisa – a job well done and one which deserves not only our gratitude and admiration but also a wish for you to go on and enjoy your interests. I sense the horses will get a lot more time and attention now!
Lisa Morgan has helped turn GAME into a global player in video games retail
David Reeves, Capcom Lisa was and still is a class act. Tenacious, direct, no-nonsense but always, always personable and supremely professional. Good luck in what ever you do, Lisa.
Michael Rawlinson, ELSPA Lisa is always ready to help the industry, and was a firm supporter of PEGI becoming the single classification system for video games, giving up her time to attend ministerial meetings to support the campaign. My only hope is GAME will continue to support the industry now that Lisa is not at the helm. Enjoy the future Lisa. Thank you.
Peter Stone, Konami Despite the many critics of GAME, the company has been led for many years of staggering growth by one of the most pleasant and approachable people in the industry. I’ve dealt with Lisa since she was a buyer at one of the predecessors of the modern GAME, Future Zone, many years ago, and always enjoy talking to her. Such a delight to meet. I wish her all the best and hope we’ll still be seeing her in the future.