Our People

Tim Batstone

Chairman

A visionary and adventurer, Tim has led HB Leisure to become the world leader in Skill Games whilst conquering mountains including Kilimanjaro in his spare time to raise money for good causes.   

He took over his grandfather’s company HB Leisure in 1987 and has since led the expansion of the group from its original base of two seaside arcades into a leading international company in the theme park and attraction space.  

Tim works with various trade bodies including serving as President of BACTA, Chairman of BALPPA and in government relations with IAAPA.

Rod Hyde

Chief Executive Officer

Rod has worked in the leisure industry for over 15 years. Initially, with Inspired Gaming, he assisted in floating the business on the AIM stock market and later helped lead the MBO of the company’s arcades operation, Playnation Ltd in 2013, later selling the business to Novomatic Group. Rod joined HBL in 2017 and is responsible for the company’s commercial arrangements, arcade operations and finances.

Alex Sparks

Managing Director

Alex joined the company in 2009, moving from the retail industry where he worked for both the Virgin Group and Viacom. Alex has played an important role in overseeing the company’s international expansion into new markets as well as working closely with existing business partners.

Eddie Lehart

Business Development Director

Eddie has over 30 years’ of experience with HBL in the set-up and operation of Family Arcades and Skill Games. From the early days of expansion, setting up UK sites to an expanding portfolio of operations worldwide that he has successfully project managed from conception to operation.

Kevin Cleary

Finance Director

Kevin joined HBL as Finance Director in 2023 with over 20 years of financial experience gained in the retail and hospitality sectors. Kevin joins us from Admiral Taverns, where he was a member of the senior leadership team, and most recently played a key role in Admiral’s acquisition and integration of Hawthorn Leisure. Kevin is responsible for HBL’s financial planning, reporting and compliance.

Gemma Swift

Head of Global Finance

Gemma joined HB Leisure in 2025, bringing a wealth of experience from the engineering and construction sector, where she spent the last five years as Finance Director at Cammell Laird Shipbuilders & Shiprepairers in Liverpool. With over 25 years’ experience in finance, Gemma has successfully built and led award-winning finance teams and is passionate about driving improvement through people, process, and systems.

As Head of Global Finance, Gemma is responsible for leading the Global Finance Team, supporting the business through insight, control, and innovation, and ensuring the finance function continues to evolve in line with HBL’s ambitious growth plans.

Richard Sharples

Head of Global Purchasing

Richard has had a progressive career with HB Leisure, joining as a games operator in 2004 and working across much of operations and now heads up the purchasing team. Richard’s team are responsible for the sourcing, design and quality control of all merchandise across both games and arcades. This equates to over $75 million per year – of which 50% are bespoke HB Leisure products.

Suzanne Green

People & Culture Director

Suzanne joined the business with over 25 years of experience in human resources and transformational leadership. A people development professional with a strong focus on developing high-performing teams and building learning and development pathways. She leads the Global People and Culture team, with a holistic and collaborative approach across operations teams to enhance the employee life cycle. Suzanne has recently been awarded the external accolade of Regional HR Director of the Year 2026, which recognises her contribution and direction in leading HR.

Jeff Hudson

Chief Executive - North America

Jeff joined HB Leisure in September 2020 as CEO of North America. He has 38 years of experience in the Skill Games and Arcade business having started as a Games Operator for Six Flags Astroworld and then as a Skill Games Consultant before moving into a 25 year run with the Games Manufacturer Skee-Ball finishing as its President. 

Additionally, he is an Industry Leader within the IAAPA association for the past 20 years, continuously serving on various Committees and Task Groups including a 3 year term on the Board of Directors and is currently Chairman of the IAAPA Give Kids the World Charity Committee. 

Jeff has now brought his wealth of industry knowledge to HBL to facilitate the accelerated growth of our operation in the USA which is now at 28 locations and counting.

Tom Boit

President - Middle East & Asia Operations

Tom has worked for HBL since 2008 and has risen through the ranks. As the President of Middle East & Asia Operations, Tom secures new contracts and develops the team to promote the business in a rapidly expanding market. 

He has successfully overseen park openings in many new countries and during these, has had to overcome challenging environments and weather conditions as well as integrating the HBL ethos into the local culture.