Games Workshop’s CEO, Mark Wells, announced today that he’ll be stepping down.

The British company posted their half year performance today and the results are good. In the six months running to December sales increased from £62.7 million to £67.5 million and at the same time the company reduced operating expenses by £1.4 million. Where did those savings come from? Games Workshop says they keep tight control on rent and staff headcount.

There’s no comment on why Wells is stepping down. He had been at Games Workshop for five years. It is understood he leaves on good terms.

So, who’s going to lead the company while they look for a new CEO? Chairman Tom Kirby will be acting as CEO for now.

It’s unlikely that a new CEO will steer Games Workshop away from being so fiercely protective of their IP – even if this reduces their ability to act as a media brand. However, with games like Space Hulk appearing online this year it seems more than possible the new CEO will encourage the company to do more in digital.