Gary is Co-CEO and COO of award-winning games developer Sumo Digital, leading one of the UK’s biggest gaming companies. But long before BAFTAs, international studios and industry conferences, he was a Sheffield student making memories in the Students’ Union and finding his feet far from home.
“It’s going in the Octagon that always reminds me of the Friday night disco,” he says. “I don’t think that exists anymore, but it was all about the Union Disco on Friday nights in the Octagon. I remember those vividly — although maybe not so vividly towards the end of the night!”
Returning to campus still sparks memories of student life in the 1980s.
Walking through the Students’ Union, driving down Mappin Street, walking through the churchyard — it’s changed so much, but there are anchor points that are almost exactly the same as when we came.
Gary studied Electronic Engineering at Sheffield after leaving school at 16 to begin an apprenticeship. While he eventually built a career in the games industry, he says the most valuable lessons from university went far beyond the lecture theatre.
“For me, university does two things: it establishes your ability to toil at something, and can you stick at it and come out the other end with something useful? Then it’s life skills — building relationships, fending for yourself and learning to cope with pressure.”
“It’s not the content, it’s the experience and the responsibility that Sheffield gave me.”
Those experiences also led to friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Gary still regularly meets up with friends from his Sheffield days, despite their careers taking them across the globe.
“Every time we met, it was like we’d never spent a minute apart — just laughing and joking like we were back in the 80s.”
He credits Sheffield with helping him grow in confidence, particularly in areas that once felt daunting.
“I’m not a great public speaker,” he admits. “But I have got better at it.”
He recalls taking part in a presentation skills course early in his career, where trainees were filmed giving presentations.
“I remember being utterly terrified,” he says. “But when they played the video back, I realised I didn’t look anywhere near as nervous as I felt. That really stuck with me.”
Today, Gary regularly speaks to large audiences and volunteers his time to support Sheffield students through the University’s Engineering You’re Hired programme, helping students develop the same professional and communication skills he values so highly.
“The first presentation is always the hardest — and they’ve already done it before they’ve even left university.”
Despite leading a global company, Gary remains passionate about Sheffield itself — both the University and the city he once called home.
“I find the city wonderful. People are so friendly, and it’s one of the greenest cities. You can be in the middle of a big city and then suddenly feel like you’re somewhere completely different.”
He’s also proud to see Sheffield graduates continuing to shape the future of the games industry.
“We’ve got so many Sheffield graduates at Sumo. It’s such a great pathway.”
Receiving an honorary degree gave Gary a rare opportunity to pause and reflect on a career spent largely looking ahead.
“You just put your head down and work,” he says. “You don’t really stop to reflect. This has been an opportunity to stop, look back and think: actually, it’s been a riot.”