Former Sumo Group CEO Carl Cavers Joins Vertpaint as Non-Exec Director and Shareholder

Strategic Growth: Vertpaint Appoints Industry Veteran Carl Cavers to Board

The co-development sector is witnessing a significant shift, and Vertpaint is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution. The studio has officially announced that Carl Cavers OBE, the former CEO and co-founder of the renowned Sumo Group, has joined the company as both a shareholder and a non-executive director.

A New Chapter for Vertpaint

This high-profile appointment serves as a major milestone for the studio, which was established in 2019 by James Macleod. Macleod, whose professional background includes tenures at industry giants like Rockstar and Digital Extremes, expressed deep appreciation for the partnership. “Having an individual with his caliber of experience and industry standing place his trust in our vision is a deeply humbling experience,” Macleod noted.

For Cavers, the decision to join the team was driven by the studio’s internal culture and technical trajectory. In an exclusive discussion, he highlighted that he was particularly impressed by the team’s dedication to excellence and their commitment to ethical, high-quality development practices.

Adapting to the Modern Co-Development Landscape

The gaming industry is currently navigating a complex period. According to recent market analysis, the global games market is projected to reach over $250 billion by 2027, yet studios face increasing pressure to remain agile. Cavers emphasized that the “work-for-hire” model has undergone a radical transformation.

“The modern co-development landscape demands a higher degree of adaptability and specialized expertise,” Cavers explained. “Vertpaint is uniquely situated to meet these requirements, offering a level of value-add that goes beyond traditional outsourcing.”

Building a Diverse Portfolio

Since its inception, Vertpaint has steadily built a reputation for reliability and technical prowess. The studio has successfully collaborated with major industry players, including:
* Digital Extremes
* Crytek
* NetEase
* Moonton

Following a successful multi-million-dollar funding round in 2025, the studio is now diversifying its output. Beyond its co-development services, Vertpaint is currently developing its own original intellectual property, a horror-themed title titled Ritual Tides, which was first unveiled to the public in March.

While Cavers acknowledges that the current economic climate for game development remains rigorous-both within the UK and on an international scale-the addition of his strategic oversight is expected to provide Vertpaint with the stability and guidance needed to navigate these turbulent waters.

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