People
Michael SmithCEOMichael’s love of monsters stems from reading too much Dr Seuss, Maurice Sendak and Richard Scarry as a kid
In the late nineties he co-founded the online retailer Firebox.com and designed the ultimate thinking man’s drinking game, ‘Shot Glass Chess’.
In 2003 his passion for games and puzzles led him to found Mind Candy and launch the global treasure hunt Perplex City. Aside from creating Moshi Monsters, Michael has founded networking events such as Silicon Drinkabout and Second Chance Tuesday, as well as Berwickstock, a secret music festival
Follow Michael on Twitter: @acton
Divinia KnowlesCOO/CFODivinia is Mind Candy’s meticulously organised COO/CFO whipping everyone at Mind Candy into shape (the whip’s a hangover from her Archaeology degree from the University of Wales at Lampeter) where she had a love of digging, dinosaurs and (we assume) Indiana Jones.Post university Divinia’s passion for amazing old stuff led her into the antiques and high end bespoke goods industry for a number of years, until the need to look for new pastures (and jellybeans) got the better of her.
Divinia has been at Mind Candy since 2006 and lovingly looks after Operations, Finance and HR for the company.While she’s a fully qualified chartered management accountant, don’t let that fool you: underneath that love of numbers and all things ledger-like, you’re likely to meet up with her sooner or later if you too spend your (well scheduled) time gig-going, scuba diving, snowboarding, DIY-ing, cycling, running, reading, painting or puzzling.
Ed RelfChief Commercial Officer
Ed joined Mind Candy after being lured away from the dark world of MMO gaming where he had previously managed the marketing efforts for the hugely successful MMORPG games Warhammer Online and The Lord of the Rings Online to name but a few.
After spending 10+ years directing / heading up the marketing divisions for many successful online gaming companies he finally saw the light and joined Mind Candy! Hooray!
Famous for his global travelling adventures, Ed has taken his biggest travelling expedition yet packing his bags and traveling 60 miles from Oxford to London to join us at Mind Candy. :)
Across Ed’s career he has released over 100 games and has one of the biggest games collections known to man. A lover of studying (boring) and playing board games (geek) Ed is now heading up Mind Candy’s global marketing efforts.
Rebecca NewtonChief Community & Safety Officer
Rebecca has been involved in the online world since the 80s and the offline world since Elvis wore the 3-cornered pants. She spent her formative community management years (the 90s) at AOL Inc., where she held many positions, finally landing as the Program Manager for AOL’s Community Leader Program. After 6 years at Sulake managing moderators, online safety and community for 24 Habbo Hotels world-wide, Rebecca joined Mind Candy in 2007.
Rebecca speaks on community, kids and online safety regularly, is a member of the Safe Internet Alliance and in her spare time plays “cut throat” bridge, writes music for plays, performs in several bands and is the Chairperson for GirlsRockNC.org, a non-profit agency that teaches girls 7-17 self-confidence and empowerment through rock music performance.
Darran GarnhamChief Business Development Officer (CBDO) / Chief Licensing Officer (CLO)
After leaving university with a degree in Sports Science, Darran has been in the media and licensing industry for over 12 years now – a deviated career route from his dreams of becoming head coach or physiotherapist at Tottenham Hotspur FC. He still keeps and plays all his favourite games and consoles from over the years – SNES, gameboy, N64, PS1 and his favourite games of all time are still Mario kart, Chuckie Egg, and Golden Eye. The Mind Candy culture of gaming meant Darran was like a moth to a flame!
His first ever car was a vintage mini which he would drive to all the summer festivals. His favourite artists of all time are The Who and David Bowie. This year he will be taking his new son on the festival circuit but will be swapping the usual tent for Yurtel.
He has also been employed as a member of Mind Candy FC and looks forward to helping towards another winning streak in this year’s football season!
Darran’s other passions include London Irish RFC (social member rather than player!) and his chocolate Labrador frank who likes nothing more than a walk to Bushy Park and stopping for a Guinness (or two) in the pubs on the way home.
Follow me on Twitter: DarranGarnham
