New Visiting Professor for Innovation and Enterprise announced

Combining a wealth of management experience with creativity and innovation, Lisa Opie is well placed to take up her position as Newcastle University Business School’s 20th Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise.

Lisa is currently Managing Director of Ubisoft Reflections and Ubisoft Leamington. The two studios are part of Ubisoft, one of the largest games developers and publishers in the world with an impressive portfolio, including franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow 6 Siege and Watch Dogs.

Lisa began her career in the theatre before moving into the world of media, with roles in radio, television production and broadcast. She held Managing Director roles in a range of large media and TV corporations from Channel Five, to the BBC and is currently Chair of ScreenSkills, and Together TV, and on the boards of Microbit and TIGA. She moved into the games sector in 2021.

Lisa’s career highlights include leading BBC Studio’s factual teams from public service and into the commercial world; successfully winning commissions from all major broadcasters and platforms globally, and overcoming the challenge of television production during Covid-19. Most recently, she has been applying her passion for diversity and innovation to the games industry.

Professor Stewart Robinson, Dean of Newcastle University Business School, said: “I am delighted to welcome Lisa Opie as our 20th Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise.  Through our Innovation Research Endowment, we have a long history of engaging with innovation and enterprise in the North East to the benefit of our community of students, staff, alumni and business leaders.”

Q&A

To mark the 20^th appointment and the start of Lisa’s tenure at the School, we sat down with her for a Q&A to find out more about her experience and what she hopes to get out of the role.

What can you bring the Business School while you are in the role?

A different perspective. It’s fairly unusual for a woman to build an entire career in television and then move into an entirely new sector, tech. I think it’s given me some interesting insights. The two sectors have many similarities and just as many differences, but they share a constant need for innovation to survive in a highly competitive, and rapidly evolving market.

Can you tell us about your background and current role?

My career has been quite a journey. My first role was in theatre before moving to radio where I presented, edited, and produced programmes. After that, I worked for independent production companies and commercial broadcasters. Working at the BBC, after being in commercial television, was a big culture shock… but also a real pinch myself moment! Whilst there I supported the transformation of in-house production into a commercial entity.  I oversaw many thousands of hours of production, from Eastenders, to Planet Earth 3, from Top Gear to Strictly Come Dancing.

Coming into Ubisoft I had little knowledge of the games industry and it has certainly been a steep learning curve. This industry is challenging and exciting; software development has an added complexity to making TV. It has been a real honour to bring my previous experience into this industry and work with passionate, talented people.

Why is it important to bring diversity to your sector, or any other?

If you want to engage and connect with audiences or players, you need to reflect their lives. People engage with what is relevant and what moves them. If your teams don’t represent the people you are trying to connect with, it is hard to be authentic. Authenticity matters - especially in storytelling. 50% of video game players are female, we need to reflect this in the gaming workforce.

How will you use your strengths and experience in your role as professor?

Throughout my career I’ve found ways to support and inspire creative people to think commercially. The two aren’t traditional partners, but I believe commerciality sets both constraints and opportunity, and thinking like this drives innovation. I’ve been at the heart of seismic changes within large organisations and have learned what works and, importantly, what doesn’t. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the Business School to explore how better to drive innovation during my role as professor.

What is your impression of the northeast, particularly the business landscape?

Ubisoft has managed to build an excellent relationship with computer science teams at the University and to develop opportunities for students entering the sector. The Northern Creative Corridor is an incredibly important initiative which recognises the enormous value the creative and tech sector provide to the infrastructure of the region. There are great games companies in the northeast, and I foresee more coming. It’s also a beautiful part of the world and the people are amazing!

What are you most looking forward to whilst being in the role?

I am really interested in bringing my own expertise to the table, but also learning from students. I hope Ubisoft can tap into the rich knowledge of the Business School and strengthen our collaboration.

What advice would you give to students at the school?

Learning is a mindset you should carry with you your whole life. Curiosity and self-awareness have driven me. Don’t think when you finish your degree you have finished learning.

Annual Innovation and Enterprise Lecture

Lisa will start her tenure with the annual Innovation and Enterprise Lecture. This will take place at 17:45 on Tuesday 24 September at Newcastle University Business School, Barrack Road, Newcastle.

The event is free and open to all, but places must be booked in advance.