Neon Play chief executive receives honorary award

Oli Christie, founder and chief executive of Neon Play, has received an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Gloucestershire, in recognition of his contribution to business, enterprise and innovation in the county.

Oli has also provided support and advice to the university’s School of Computing, and today he joined hundreds of graduating students for a ceremony at The Centaur in Cheltenham.

Since being established by Oli in 2010, the Cirencester-based company has achieved over 60 million mobile game downloads and 15 number one games in 160 countries. Neon Play’s hits include Paper Glider, Flick Football and Traffic Panic.

On presenting him with his award, Professor Tom Barker, Dean of Arts and Technology, said: “Oli is very active and well networked within the Gloucestershire Business Community.  He has been a great supporter of the University, working closely as a critical friend to the Computing and Technology School, advising on course content, helping with staff recruitment, and in many other ways.” He added: “Oli left London not to sleep on a sofa in a little cottage here, but to strap a rocket to the region and light the fuse.  Oli has certainly done that and he’s a great role model for us.”

Oli has won over 25 games awards in his career and Neon Play has won 20 business awards and is the board of the Cheltenham Festivals.

Receiving his award, he said: “It is a huge and genuine honour to receive this Honorary Fellowship and a really proud moment. At Neon Play, we are delighted to currently have two graduates from the University of Gloucestershire doing placements and we hope these might lead to full time jobs. And we will continue on our mission with Rock the Cotswolds to retain and attract the very best talent and companies to the area.”