Fashion and beauty gaming company Drest has announced the appointment of a new co-CEO, Daniel Svärd, who will be taking on the role alongside co-founder and CEO Lucy Yeomans. Graham Edwards, another co-founder, will continue to serve as the company’s chair. In addition to Svärd’s appointment, Chris Wright, a seasoned professional in the gaming industry, has been named as the Interim Chief Technology Officer, succeeding Martin Robaszewski.
Svärd, the newly appointed joint CEO, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the General Manager of Candy Crush Soda Saga. His arrival comes ahead of the anticipated launch of the enhanced version of Drest scheduled for October 2024. This new iteration of Drest aims to elevate engagement in the realms of luxury fashion and lifestyle by introducing real-time narrative quests, live in-game special events, and exclusive virtual journeys.
With over two decades of experience in gaming platforms, Svärd has held significant roles at companies such as Betfair and Bwin in addition to his tenure at King, where he oversaw Candy Crush Soda Saga. His expertise spans various areas including company strategy, business performance, and product development.
Svärd will collaborate closely with Lucy Yeomans, a luxury content strategist, who will focus on strategic product development, partnerships, brand communications, and creative initiatives within Drest.
Chris Wright, who worked as a technology business consultant with nearly 30 years of experience in gaming, will work with the game teams to enhance delivery efficiency during this pivotal phase for the company. He is slated to remain with the firm for the next year as the new game is launched worldwide.
These significant appointments follow last year’s announcement of a £15 million investment aimed at propelling the company’s growth and advancement.
