The UK Esports Advisory Panel has expanded its member roster with the appointments of Jeff Simpkins and Jon Winkle, reinforcing grassroots and team-level representation within national policy discussions.
Announced in April 2026 by Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray and convened by trade body Ukie, the panel serves as a permanent advisory fixture facilitating structured engagement between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the competitive gaming sector.
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The inclusion of Simpkins, who serves as Chair of the UK Esports Team Committee (UKETC), National Team Manager for Great Britain at the Esports Nations Cup, and Rocket League Lead at The Football Association, brings extensive team-side governance and institutional sports expertise to the body.
Concurrently, the appointment of Winkle, Managing Director of independent event operator EPIC.LAN, provides direct advocacy for the UK’s amateur and tier-two competitive gaming infrastructure. His inclusion follows recognition for his grassroots work, having recently been shortlisted for Access and Grassroots Champion in Esports at the Esports Leaders Honours 2025–26.
Winkle noted that while he had previously expressed criticism regarding the advisory body’s initial formation, joining the panel ensures that grassroots operators maintain a direct voice in high-level policy dialogue. As an immediate operational step, the panel will attend the EPIC49 event to inspect grassroots event operations first-hand, where Winkle will moderate a live-streamed stage session featuring representatives from Ukie and the British Esports Federation.
The UK Esports Advisory Panel was created to address long-standing communication gaps between government departments and industry stakeholders, encompassing publishers, professional teams, and tournament organisers. Operating as a single advisory channel for DCMS, the panel advises ministers on commercial sustainability, international event logistics, digital skills development, and educational frameworks across the United Kingdom.
Simpkins and Winkle join an established panel that includes senior executives from Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Riot Games, Team Liquid, Fnatic, BLAST, ESL FACEIT Group, and regional bodies such as Esports Wales and Scottish Esports. The expanded cohort will convene for its first formal working meeting with DCMS officials later this month to outline strategic policy priorities.
