Leon Hijazi-Killin
Balance Patch
Leon (he/him) is an award winning expert on strategic people organisation and inclusive work practices in games and creative industries. With 15+ years experience under his belt, Leon has supported over 50 games studios and creative businesses on their people-focused strategy journeys.
Leon is an active participant in several games industry improvement initiates including Code Coven’s CIC Advisory Board, a UK Games Industry Slack Admin, a former Ukie EDI Committee and Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Games Committee member, and Out Making Games Leadership alumni.
Leon Hijazi-Killin is speaking at the following session/s
WorkWise for Screen: Fair Play at Work
WorkWise for Screen supports employers and hirers in the games industry with expert guidance on UK employment law, HR best practice and people management.
The UK games industry is at a crossroads. Studio closures and mass layoffs have flooded the market with senior talent, while entry-level roles are more competitive than ever. Amid the upheaval, one thing remains: the creativity, passion, and skill that drive this industry forward.
As new studios launch and existing teams fight to stay afloat, leadership must build strong, legally sound and sustainable workplaces - fit for the long haul.
The games industry has long attracted neurodivergent talent, yet many studios still fall short on equitable hiring, contracts, and workplace support. Employment tribunal cases around discrimination and neurodiversity are rising - so how can leaders ensure their practices are both compliant and genuinely inclusive?
In this interview-led session, industry experts share crucial insights on:
Recruitment – how to avoid bias, attract top talent, and ensure a transparent and inclusive selection process.
Contracts and compliance – key legal considerations when hiring employees, contractors or freelancers, including key legal responsibilities around neurodiversity and reasonable adjustments
Workplace and culture – how to lead effectively, support neurodivergent employees, avoid common HR pitfalls and foster a resilient, inclusive team
Whether you’re building the next generation of studios or working to keep yours standing, this session will equip you with the tools to lead fairly, safely and well.
After the session and throughout Develop, visit the WorkWise for Screen stand for one-to-one meetings with legal and HR experts offering tailored advice.
Moderator: Jonas Gawe
Session Takeaway
- What effective leadership looks like in uncertain times - especially when supporting diverse teams
- How to hire fairly and avoid bias-driven selection mistakes, including barriers faced by neurodivergent applicants
- How to protect your studio and your staff with legally robust contracts and inclusive workplace policies
- Why transparent, equitable practices give studios both a commercial advantage and legal protection
Session speakers
