Apparently, a trip to futuristic, technology-mad Japan inspired Jane Cavanagh to set up SCi in 1988. She was working for the BT division Telecomsoft, developing games brands and software, and was impressed by the success of Sega and Nintendo, the games console makers. She became aware of the huge appetite for computer games during the visit and since then has made SCi the UK’s largest video games publisher.

Yet Ms Cavanagh has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. At 17 she is said to have bought two cars for £90, spruced them up and sold them on for a £290 to fund a summer trip.

Now, of course, she is one of the most experienced executives in the games industry. As founder of SCi, Ms Cavanagh owned 100 per cent of the business until its flotation in 1996. Under her tenure, SCi has grown to become Britain’s largest video game publisher, after the acquisition of Eidos, its larger rival, in 2005. She has also had to deal with takeover approaches, as the group has attracted a number of would-be buyers over the years.

SCi, initially known as Sales Curve Initiative, was set up by Ms Cavanagh to run sales and marketing of games for a division of Thomson, the French conglomerate. The company soon gained other clients, some of which asked for games programming services.

Now the company is best known for popular games such as Hitman and Lara Croft’s Tomb Raider. It consists of publishing operations across Europe and the United States, with several development studios including Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive and Pivotal Games, as well as stakes in other studios. The company said that its strategy is to create, own and exploit valuable game franchises through investment in licences and products, while maintaining a strong reputation as a publisher of successful games.

In June 2006, Ms Cavanagh stepped down as chairman at SCi, but decided to continue with her hands-on role as chief executive.

Ms Cavanagh, who is now one of the country’s wealthiest women, was raised in Hardley, Hampshire, where her father had a small electronics business. Initially she trained as a master of wine before moving on to BT and the games world. She likes to keep a low profile and apparently enjoys walking her dog and riding.

She was appointed OBE in last year’s New Year Honours.

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