From Friends to Founders: Building Professional Structures in Startups, with David White
What happens when a group of university friends builds a successful games studio, and when the company grows, they need to transform friendship dynamics into professional practices? And how do you introduce HR processes, performance reviews, and organisational hierarchy without losing the magic that made the business work in the first place?
In this episode, Keith Arrowsmith and Tacita Small speak to David White, People and Culture Manager at Junkfish, about the challenges of joining an established startup built by friends. Junkfish is an independent games development studio based in the UK and Singapore. Arriving at the ten-year mark, David faced the task of bringing definition, structure, and professional maturity to a business that had thrived on informal relationships.
From conducting individual interviews with every team member to define a company-wide vision, to creating behavioural charts across seven categories, David shares how he helped translate what existed organically into a universal language suitable for sustained growth. He explores managing bias when line managers are best friends with their reports, the importance of active listening, and why value-based interviewing helps protect cherished startup culture while welcoming outsiders.
With honest insights about managing bias and creating clear boundaries, this conversation provides a roadmap for creative businesses navigating the transition from informal to professional without losing their soul.
The WorkWise for Screen podcast is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery Funding.
This episode covers:
Defining mission, vision, values, and organisational identity for the first time
Managing bias when managers are friends with their team members
Translating informal practices into formal policies and processes
Active listening and meeting people where they're at during times of change
The problem of people wearing multiple hats and creating clear boundaries
(00:00) Introduction to Workwise for Screen Podcast with Keith and Tacita
(01:44) Introducing David White from Junkfish
(03:28) Defining Roles and Responsibilities in a Startup
(07:14) Building a Professional Culture
(09:46) Implementing Behavioral Standards
(11:57) Managing Change and Communication
(18:08) Conclusions with Keith and Tacita
LINKS
WorkWise for Screen: https://www.workwiseforscreen.org.uk/
Keith Arrowsmith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitharrowsmith/
Tacita Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacitasmall/
BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/
National Lottery: https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/
David White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-white-hr/?originalSubdomain=uk
Junkfish: https://www.junkfish.net/
