Gateshead games producer up for Women in Games awards

Sally Blake, a senior producer at Hammerhead VR, which has an office based in PROTO, Gateshead, has been shortlisted for mentor of the year at the 2019 MCV Women in Games awards. Sally has played a key part in the games community in the North East, being involved in the steering group for NOVA, a games collective for the region as well as being a co-creator of a new network, Women Making Games. The group meet monthly and are due to officially launch the network on 14 June at PROTO. 

Sally is a strong advocate for positive change and impact on the UK game industry and has been involved in a number of events to support this initiative, including International Women's Day with Gateshead College.

Sally says, "I'm over the moon to have been nominated for the MCV Mentor of the Year! The North East has an amazing community of women and I'm so happy to be part of it. Mentoring has always been such a rewarding experience and I'm honestly humbled that people have taken time out of their day to nominate me. I hope to continue my mentoring work and building our WOMG North East community and really appreciate all the support!"

Other short listees included Lauren Frazer from Ubisoft reflections in Newcastle, Natalie Wicks from Double Eleven in Middlesbrough. Miriam Bellard of Rockstar North was also shortlisted for creative impact of the year. Miriam is due to speak at the first annual NOVA conference in Gateshead on 27-28 June.

The awards ceremony takes place on 28 June in London. Good luck Sally!