Janet Symonds (Partner)

Janet has extensive experience in print and packaging, having worked successfully in the sector for many years. Her knowledge helps ensure our games are designed in a manner which is most helpful to the publisher. And with many years spent working in a senior Account Management role, Janet makes sure we communicate clearly & appropriately to ensure our partners’ requirements are met.

After initially volunteering at a local primary school, Janet moved into Education full-time, and spent several years working with children under the age of 12. Her particular talent is in working with children who have special educational needs. These are often very difficult and disruptive children, requiring individual attention and specialized teaching. As well as giving her a good insight into the functioning and interests of young children’s minds, this experience has helped us in the design of some of our more inclusive educational games.

When not travelling through Europe in Charlie the campervan, Janet enjoys painting, baking and, of course, playing games.

Jim Symonds (Partner)

Jim has 40+ years’ experience in business. As a qualified national and international logistics manager, he was running autonomous businesses by the age of 21. After returning to university to study production planning and control (where he was awarded Business Student of the Year) he moved into manufacturing management for ten very successful years before joining an IT company who specialised in ERP manufacturing software. Starting as a service desk advisor, over the next 18 years he rose to become Commercial Director then Managing Director. His passion for delivering exceptional customer service led to the company growing still further and winning a number of awards. He led a management buyout and after more highly effective years leading the company to be a significant global presence, sold his majority shareholding and left to create Light In The Lab.

Jim was awarded Chartered Director status in 2005, recognising both his knowledge in company management and its practical application in running a successful business. His talks to MBA students and business leaders in the north-east of England have always been popular and inspiring, and he has served on the board of several local charities. As well as playing games and fishing in his spare time, he has completed the gruelling Land’s End to John O’Groats historic car rally (“LeJog”) in a 1975 Saab 96, is an active member of the Irish vintage VW campervan club (“Type 2 Ireland”) and has performed stand-up comedy on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.