John Jackson (esports administrator)

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John Jackson
NationalityWelsh
OccupationEsports administrator
Years active2018–present
Organization Esports Wales
TitleChief Executive Officer

John Jackson (better known by his gamer tag SlayerJohn) is a Welsh esports administrator and the founding Chief Executive Officer of Esports Wales, the national governing body for esports in Wales established in 2018. [1] [2] His leadership has been noted in coverage of domestic esports competitions, grassroots initiatives and Wales’s international representation in events such as the Commonwealth Esports Championships. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Career

Early career

Before entering esports administration, Jackson worked in information technology and network management in Wales, holding positions at Aberdare Girls School, Rhymney Comprehensive School, Consumer Focus, and Merthyr Tydfil College. [6] He studied Network Management and Security at the University of South Wales, earning a BSc (Hons). [6] During this period he spoke at technology and education events including the Bett Show and the Esports Venue Summit, where he addressed esports in education and digital skills. [7] [8]

Esports Wales

Jackson founded Esports Wales in 2018 as the national governing body for esports in Wales. [1] Early development of the organisation was profiled in regional and sector media, including its role in promoting esports within Welsh creative and conference sectors. [9] [10]

In 2022, Esports Wales launched the Welsh Esports League, creating a domestic competition structure. [2] [11] The same year, Wales competed in the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham, with Esports Wales responsible for trials and team selection. [3] [12] The organisation has since expanded its remit to include emerging disciplines such as HADO, qualifying teams for European events. [13] Esports Wales has also joined broader UK esports initiatives through the British Esports ecosystem. [14] [15]

Partnerships and advocacy

As chief executive, Jackson oversaw sponsorship and funding agreements for Esports Wales, including a £50,000 development grant [5] and the renewal of a long-term partnership with Acer UK. [16] He has also spoken publicly about the role of esports in Wales’s digital economy, a theme echoed by government ministers and industry partners. [4] [17] Specialist media reports have noted his involvement in expanding the organisation’s staffing and event planning. [18] Coverage has also linked Jackson to grassroots outreach initiatives, including school programmes and community events. [19] [20] [21]

Recognition

Jackson has been profiled in both mainstream and specialist media. The BBC covered his role in leading Wales’s entry into the Commonwealth Esports Championships and later developments in the Welsh esports sector. [3] [22] Other outlets, including Buzz Magazine, Esports Insider and GamesIndustry.biz, have highlighted initiatives connected to his leadership of Esports Wales. [12] [23] [5] Educational and award partners such as Agored Cymru and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David have also credited Jackson’s work in promoting esports as part of digital skills development. [24] [25]

References

  1. 1 2 "Staff introduction – SlayerJohn" Esports Wales. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Esports Wales" British Esports Federation. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Commonwealth Esports Championships: Wales to compete" BBC News. 5 August 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Minister backs Wales’ esports industry as a global leader" Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Esports Wales receives £50,000 in funding" GamesIndustry.biz. 2 March 2022.
  6. 1 2 John Jackson LinkedIn profile
  7. ↑ "John Jackson" Bett UK. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "John Jackson" Esports Venue Summit. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "John Jackson – Conference Ambassador" Meet in Wales. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "Levelling Up Welsh Gaming – Esports Wales" TownSq. 6 January (year not stated). Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "Welsh Esports League launches" 5 Star Media. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Esports Wales: John Jackson interview" Buzz Magazine. 26 July 2022.
  13. ↑ "Historic qualification for first HADO team representing Wales" Esports Wales. 17 March 2024.
  14. ↑ "Wales to compete in UK Esports Federation" Inside the Games. 15 December 2022.
  15. ↑ "WSA members: Esports Wales looking to make history at the Commonwealth Games" Welsh Sports Association. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  16. ↑ "Acer UK renews Esports Wales partnership" Esports News UK. 9 April 2025.
  17. ↑ "Game on for Esports" OGI Wales. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "Esports Wales plans to host annual event, hires new full-time staff, receives funding and partners with FA Wales" Esports News UK. 2 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "Caerphilly school looking to 'lead the way' in growth of esports" Caerphilly Observer. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "World Esports Day" Cardiff Journalism / AltCardiff. 2 November 2020.
  21. ↑ "OGI teams up with Esports Wales to power up Welsh esports sector" News From Wales. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  22. ↑ "Wales’ growing esports industry" BBC News. 1 January 2024.
  23. ↑ "Esports Wales launches Leaders Award course" Esports Insider. 22 November 2024.
  24. ↑ "Agored Cymru partners with Esports Wales" Agored Cymru. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  25. ↑ "GAME Esports Awards inspire future digital leaders" University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
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