UK esports org Excel Esports has announced that Abi Odell has been appointed its new people and culture manager.
In her role, Abi will be responsible for employees’ performance and development and ‘creating the best operational processes’ to fit Excel’s ‘Power of Better’ belief.
Abi brings over 16 years of experience in HR, with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in employee relations including an Advanced Diploma in Employment Law and has been a long-standing member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
She has also been committed to supporting young people and has qualified as one of a few online Anti-Bullying Ambassadors via the Diana Award for Anti-Bullying Pro, an online resource centre for young people, parents and educators to turn to for issues around bullying behaviour.
As an avid gamer and partnered Twitch streamer (at twitch.tv/polarbear), Abi set up an all-female stream team known as the Gulag Girls, who regularly play together and support other female content creators. Abi has also previously managed content creators and found talent for a hobby esports team that she was part of for a number of years.
Through her passion, Abi has also raised awareness and funds to gaming lead charities including Games Aid, Get Well Gamers and Special Effect.
In her role as head of people and culture, Abi will be focused on building a company culture that represents Excel and its employees.
Abi joins after Excel co-founder and former chief people officer, Joel Holmes-Darby, left the organisation last year. Joel joined Method as general manager in January 2021.
Excel has recently undertaken a recruitment drive with new hires across all departments, with the Excel commercial team doubling in size.
A press release stated that ‘Abi will be formulating Excel’s equality, diversity and inclusion strategy with the hopes of creating a culture where everyone belongs, voices are heard and ideas can thrive’.
“For me this role is really all-encompassing and I am really looking forward to making a difference at Excel,” said Abi Odell, people and culture manager at Excel Esports.
“Esports is a growing industry with many companies being built from the ground up. When creating a solid foundation and strong culture it is important to make sure the company operates with well-being at the heart of everything it does. Excel is committed to creating a positive and inclusive work environment and with my experience, I am passionate about making it the place where we grow together and utilise our power of better.”
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
