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Xsolla is a global video game commerce company that helps game developers and publishers fund, market, distribute and monetise their games globally. As an innovative leader in game commerce, Xsolla’ s mission is to solve the inherent complexities of global distribution, marketing and monetisation. Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy & Communications Officer at Xsolla, discusses the importance of empathy in the workplace and the areas of investment he is noticing in the industry.

Describe your current job role.

As Chief Strategy & Communications Officer at

Xsolla, I drive cross-functional initiatives that span game technologies, financial strategy, longterm planning and organisational leadership. My career bridges the worlds of interactive entertainment and strategic innovation, with leadership roles at industry-defining companies such as Activision, DreamWorks and Skydance. At each stop, I’ ve led large high-performing teams and directly contributed to the success of more than 50 games. Today at Xsolla, I focus on shaping the company’ s strategic direction while fostering collaboration across teams to deliver scalable, global impact for partners and creators alike.

What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?

One of my most memorable achievements has been championing the development and global expansion of Xsolla Web Shop. Over the past four years, it has grown into a leading solution in the industry, powering over 500 web shops across a wide range of game genres and studio sizes. From the beginning, I recognised the transformative potential of web shops as a way for developers and publishers to generate revenue outside of traditional app store ecosystems. that empowers game-makers to build direct relationships with their players, retain more of their revenue and operate with greater independence. Through consistent advocacy, product evolution and cross-functional collaboration, we’ ve helped redefine how the industry thinks about monetisation and player engagement at a global scale.

What makes this achievement especially meaningful is its lasting impact. It’ s not just about the growth metrics but about changing the narrative and opening up new opportunities for creators; giving them more control over their business models in a way that better serves both the industry and the players.

What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?

In my current role at Xsolla, I apply a management philosophy grounded in strategic clarity, structured creativity and empathetic leadership. I believe the most effective teams are those aligned by purpose and passion, not just process. To that end, I create frameworks that provide direction while encouraging autonomy, allowing individuals and teams to innovate confidently within clear, strategic boundaries.

I’ ve worked to position Web Shop not just as a product, but as a strategic shift; one

Communication plays a central role in how I lead. I take a multi-dimensional approach – tailoring www. intelligentcxo. com

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