UK Games Expo appoints AireCon co-founder Mark Cooke to lead operations

Mark Cooke, co-founder of the tabletop gathering AireCon, has joined UK Games Expo as its new Operations Director. The appointment begins a phased operational handover, with Cooke assuming day-to-day management of the UK’s largest tabletop convention as co-founders Richard Denning and Tony Hyams prepare to step down.

The transition coincides with the conclusion of Cooke’s own convention. Cooke will divide his time between both events until AireCon runs its final show, Airemageddon, at the Harrogate Convention Centre in March 2027. Once Harrogate wraps, Cooke will move to UK Games Expo full time, operating from the show’s base at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham to manage site logistics, publisher stands, and visitor flow.

The move resolves a long-term succession question for the Birmingham convention. Founded in 2007 at the Clarendon Suites before shifting to the NEC, the show has expanded to fill three giant halls with board games, miniatures, and roleplaying games. As floor plans and attendance grew, so did the administrative load on the original founders. Bringing in an established organiser secures operational continuity, while also marking the absorption of northern convention leadership into the UK’s primary commercial show.

Mark Cooke, newly appointed Operations Director at UK Games Expo, said in a statement:

I’m incredibly excited to be joining the UK Games Expo team and to have the opportunity to play a part in the next chapter of such an important event for the tabletop gaming community. I have huge respect for what Richard and Tony have built over the years, and I’m looking forward to working alongside them over the coming events. This will be a gradual transition, giving us plenty of time to share knowledge, ideas and experience. My aim is to build on the fantastic foundations already in place while helping UKGE continue to grow and thrive for many years to come.”

Richard Denning, Co-Founder at UK Games Expo, added;

As UKGE has expanded to now one of the world’s largest shows we have gradually grown our team, adding event managers, administrators and logistics support. Bringing in Mark as Operations Director is the next logical step as we put in place plans to ensure UKGE can run far into the future. We have known Mark through AireCon and other industry roles for many years now and he is an ideal choice bringing both event management experience, energy and fresh ideas to the team as well as a safe pair of hands as and when Tony and I eventually step away from the show we have built together with others.”

Tony Hyams, Co-Founder at UK Games Expo, with typical Tony style, offered;

Mark Who? Has he got any sandwiches?”

The appointment carries cultural consequences for the wider hobby. Cooke built AireCon from a 2015 gathering of 28 friends in a private flat into a 5,000-person community fixture, defined by open gaming tables and late-night social play. In contrast, UK Games Expo is a high-density trade exhibition driven by publisher booths, retail sales, and strict tournament timetables.

With AireCon closing because organisers found it unsustainable to preserve its relaxed culture while growing, tabletop players will watch closely to see whether Cooke imports that community-focused open-play ethos into the commercial halls of the NEC.