OBE for UKIE chairman Andy Payne

Andy Payne, the experienced games industry executive and lobbyist, has been awarded an OBE for his services to the UK entertainment sector.

The well-connected UKIE chairman, who also works with a number of groups such as the GamesAid charity and the new AppyNation publishing syndicate, said he was “truly surprised, honoured and very proud to have been awarded an OBE”.

The British monarch New Year’s honours list also had awarded a knighthood to Apple device designer Jonathan Ive.

Payne told MCV he was “truly thankful to have worked with so many fabulous people down the years and am proud of our great industry”.

“I would like to thank all my workmates at Mastertronic, Just Flight, The Producers, BAFTA, Just Trains, Get Games, UKIE, GamesAid and AppyNation who I work with,” he added.

“We have all had plenty of challenges to overcome, especially in recent years, but these are great times and I would not swap my job with anyone. I would also like to thank my mum and dad who have always supported me and Kirsty, my wife, who is also my best friend and my rock.”