Riot Games, the company behind the mega-popular video game League of Legends, has announced that their current global president, A. Dylan Jadeja, will become the next CEO. Jadeja will replace current CEO Nicolo Laurent, who has served in leadership roles at Riot for 14 years, including six as CEO.
Jadeja joined Riot in 2011, initially serving as the Chief Financial Officer before taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2014. When Riot’s founders transitioned to co-chair roles in 2017, Jadeja was appointed as the President. He has been instrumental in shaping Riot’s strategy and driving its culture forward.
The transition of the CEO position from Laurent to Jadeja will take place over the coming months and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. Following this, Laurent will remain with Riot in an advisory role. Further details about the leadership handoff will be announced upon its completion.
In a message to the Riot team, Laurent expressed that stepping away from the CEO role has been on his mind for a while, influenced by a desire to focus on his family and move back to France. He stated, “Riot has reached a scale where we knew we needed to undertake a more extensive assessment of our needs and of candidates. For the first time in Riot’s history, we looked both inside and outside the company to find the very best person for this role and for Riot’s next chapter.”
The selection process for the new CEO was extensive, lasting about three years. The company engaged with a number of impressive candidates, but in the end, Jadeja was the unanimous choice. Laurent praised Jadeja’s leadership skills, empathetic nature, and passion for Riot’s culture and DNA. He assured that Jadeja was the perfect leader to steward Riot over the next several years.
Jadeja, humbled and excited about his new role, noted the importance of continuing to empower the creative heart of Riot Games while staying true to the mission for players. He expressed his intent to use the transition window to listen and learn from various parts of Riot, particularly on the product side.
“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 said in his message to the Riot team. “And that is to make Riot, unequivocally, the most trusted and authentic game company in the world… built by players, for players.”
With the leadership baton passing to Jadeja, Riot Games looks set to continue its impressive trajectory in the gaming world. The company’s commitment to its mission and the passion of its leaders signals exciting times ahead for Riot Games and its millions of players worldwide.