Indian-origin executive A Dylan Jadeja has been appointed as the new CEO of Riot Games, the developer of smash-hit video games like ‘League of Legends’ and ‘Valorant’, the company announced.
Dylan first joined Riot Games in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and added Chief Operating Officer (COO) to his role in 2014.
“When our founders transitioned to co-chair roles in 2017, Jadeja was named President of Riot and has been one of the key leaders in crafting Riot’s strategy and driving our culture forward,” the press release said.
“As CEO, it is fair to assume that I may do some things differently than those before me, but I want to assure you that the goal for us — together — will not waver,” Jadeja added.
A native of India, Dylan was raised in Ontario, Canada. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario Richard Ivey School of Business and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was named a George F Baker Scholar and was a 2004 Siebel Scholar.
Nicolo Laurent is stepping down as CEO and moving to an advisory role. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
Laurent has been a major part of Riot Games since the company was just a ‘40-person startup’ in 2009, before stepping into the role of CEO in 2017. Under his leadership, Riot Games has been accused of fostering a sexist “bro culture,” during which Laurent was personally accused (and later cleared) of sexual misconduct against his former executive assistant.
Riot paid USD 100 million to settle a 2018 discrimination and harassment lawsuit filed by eight female former company employees.