FEATURE
Swinging – Video games , including Roland on the Ropes for the BBC Micro , were Bob ’ s passion throughout childhood and he says he just never grew up !
shining again . Rachel , a university lecturer , has been given the all-clear , and is now fundraising for breast cancer charity , CoppaFeel !
Bob runs Behaviour Interactive ’ s two UK offices – in Albert Road , Middlesbrough , and Truro , in Cornwall – while Darren Cuthbert is the company ’ s technical director .
It means they ’ re part of one of the biggest independent studios in the world , with Behaviour Interactive having 1,300 employees globally , and growing all the time .
The hugely popular horror game , Dead by Daylight , is the backbone of the company , and there ’ s also project work on the likes of Call of Duty , Gears of War and Fallout .
UK projects Bob and the team have worked on include Mortal Kombat and Silent Hill , with more in the pipeline that are secret for now .
“ I always liked the thought of running something really big , working with global leaders , and that ’ s become a reality ,” he says . “ The ambition is to grow in the UK , and I love the fact that it ’ s an opportunity to attract talent to
Teesside because it ’ s a fantastic place .”
As he speaks , he points to the stunning view from the Devonport – out across the tree-lined River Tees and the rolling countryside beyond .
“ We love village life , yet it ’ s only 20 minutes from Middlesbrough , and close to the airport and East Coast Mainline railway ,” he adds . “ People get the wrong impression of Teesside but , once they ’ re here , they love it .”
Being named Business Leader of the Year at the recent Tees Business Awards came as “ a nice shock ”, with Bob insisting his approach to leadership is uncomplicated : “ Team spirit is so important – half the work is done for you if everyone ’ s happy ,” he declares .
And , at 38 , Bob Makin is clearly in a happy place himself – living his boyhood dream , and with plenty still to achieve .
“ I just never grew up ,” he admits . “ And what ’ s better than creating fun for a living ?”
In November , Bob ’ s wife Rachel is taking part in a five-day trek across the Himalayas in aid of CoppaFeel ! To support her efforts , go to justgiving . com and search for “ Rachel Makin ”.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 17