Ubisoft is reinforcing the stewardship of its premier franchise by appointing three seasoned veterans to a newly established leadership team for Assassin’s Creed. This strategic restructuring is being orchestrated through Vantage Studios, the specialized subsidiary Ubisoft launched last year to manage its blockbuster intellectual properties, including Far Cry and Rainbow Six.
The new leadership trio—Martin Schelling, Jean Guesdon, and François de Billy—collectively possess decades of experience within the series. Notably, all three were instrumental in the development of the 2017 soft-reboot, Assassin’s Creed Origins. The announcement was formalized via an official update on Ubisoft’s corporate site.
A Trio of Franchise Architects
Martin Schelling assumes the role of Head of Assassin’s Creed Brand. In this capacity, he is tasked with defining the franchise’s overarching strategy and long-term trajectory. Schelling’s history with the brand is extensive, having served as a producer on major titles ranging from Revelations and Black Flag to Valhalla. He has most recently served as Ubisoft’s Chief Production Officer.
Jean Guesdon returns as the Head of Content, a role focused on the creative pulse of the series. Guesdon will oversee the creative direction of future projects, providing guidance to individual development teams. A pivotal figure in the franchise’s history, he previously directed Black Flag and Origins. Guesdon briefly departed Ubisoft in 2023 for a stint at Behaviour Interactive before returning to guide the future of the Creed.
François de Billy has been named Head of Production Excellence. His objective is to streamline and fortify production methodologies across the various Assassin’s Creed projects currently in development at Vantage. A Ubisoft mainstay since 2001, de Billy’s recent credits include serving as a production designer for both Origins and Valhalla.
The Road Ahead
This leadership shift arrives following the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which was met with a positive critical reception. While fans await news on the next historical era the series will explore, the transition comes during a tumultuous period for Ubisoft. The parent company has faced a series of setbacks in 2026, including the closure of its unionized Halifax branch, significant layoffs at Massive Entertainment, and the high-profile cancellation of several projects, including the long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake.
