Milky Tea Studio Founder Jonathan Holmes Steps Down as CEO, Succeeded by Chris Wood
– 3 min read
After 20 years at the helm, Milky Tea Studio founder Jonathan Holmes is stepping down as CEO. He is handing over leadership of the Liverpool studio to Chris Wood, as Grit and Valor - 1949 heads for consoles and VR.
Today, Jonathan Holmes, founder and CEO of Milky Tea, is stepping down from his role. Chris Wood, the incumbent General Manager, will take on the leadership of the studio in his new role as Managing Director. Founded in Liverpool in 2005, Milky Tea is a game development studio responsible for titles such as HyperBrawl Tournament and Coffin Dodgers. In 2023, the global, multiplatform gaming and tech group Aonic acquired a majority shareholding in the company. Milky Tea's latest release, Grit and Valor - 1949, was published on Steam through Megabit, Aonic's publishing arm, in March, and will launch for console and VR platforms. Holmes spent two decades leading and growing Milky Tea. Chris Wood, the new Managing Director, has played a key role in the day-to-day running of Milky Tea as General Manager for the past two years.
Jonathan Holmes, Founder of Milky Tea: "Founding Milky Tea back in 2005 was one of the most meaningful decisions of my life. My co-founder Ian Leyland and I set out to create our dream company, and I really believe we achieved that; thanks not only to the projects and awards, but the people we have worked alongside and friendships we have built in the games industry and beyond. It's been an incredible journey. But after 20 years, I've realised it's time for me to step back, recharge, and focus on spending more quality time with my Family. I've poured everything into this company and the games industry I love. I'm deeply grateful to the executive team at Aonic for their faith in Milky Tea and supporting me through this decision and I’m incredibly proud to hand the reins over to Chris, who brings a wealth of experience and leadership. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who's been part of Milky Tea's journey. I can't wait to cheer on the amazing projects Milky Tea and the Aonic group is launching in the years ahead."
Chris Wood, Managing Director of Milky Tea, said of his new role: "It's an honour to be trusted with the leadership of Milky Tea, a brilliant studio that is extremely close to my heart after these past two years on the team. I'm really proud of what we’ve already achieved together, including the release of Grit and Valor - 1949, and am excited to keep building. I'd also like to pay tribute to Jon for an amazing 20-year stint building Milky Tea from the ground up. I thank him for his continued trust in me and hope he reflects on all his achievements with pride during this period of rest."
Paul Schempp, CEO and Co-Founder of Aonic added: "Jonathan is not only a visionary founder, but also a deeply respected leader who built Milky Tea into a studio known for creativity, integrity, and heart. His passion for storytelling and innovation has left a lasting mark on the company and the wider games industry. While we're sad to see him step away, we fully support his decision and are excited to continue building on the incredible foundation he’s laid. Chris is a fantastic successor, and we’re confident in his ability to lead Milky Tea into a bold and exciting future."
Aonic is a growing group of multiplatform game studios and technology service providers. This includes Tiny Roar (a game studio), Exmox (an adtech/user acquisition company) and Gravite (an in-app ad monetisation solution). Revenues exceeded €150 million in 2024.
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