About Us
Sandstorm's mission is to build a world-leading global media portfolio of companies that redefine the future of gaming, sports and entertainment. We build teams, communities and experiences that engage, resonate and inspire youth culture around the world. Sandstorm's portfolio of companies is currently comprised of Tundra Esports (a leading UK-based esports and entertainment organisation), Epic Global (an Ireland-based commercial and talent agency), Story Mode (a UK-based creative and production studio), and developing businesses rooted in the technology/media space.
Board Of Directors
Carleton Curtis, Executive Chairman at Sandstorm, is a global media executive with an established record of multiplatform innovation and growth across esports, video games, sports and entertainment properties. Carleton previously served as the Executive Chairman at Guild Esports - a global esports team organisation and gaming lifestyle brand headquartered in London and co-owned by David Beckham, with its shares listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Carleton also served as Vice President, Programming at Activision Blizzard from 2017 to 2020 and was responsible for the global strategy and vision of the Overwatch League, Call Of Duty League, and Major League Gaming, three of the biggest tournaments in the world of competitive gaming. Prior to joining Activision Blizzard, he led the esports division at Red Bull as Program Director, overseeing business operations, partnerships, programming, live events, teams & athletes, social media, and marketing. Carleton also spent seven years at Fox Sports Media Group in Los Angeles, CA where he led strategic operations including audience development, partnerships, distribution, and marketing for partners including UFC, FIFA and the USGA.
With a mind hard-wired for business, Maxim co-founded Tundra Esports aged just 19 in 2019 while studying International Business in Switzerland. Maxim carries an entrepreneurial drive – turning a long-held passion for FIFA into a thriving esports organisation along with his two Co-Founders Anthony Graham and Michael Munro.
Through his vision, Tundra Esports has quickly attained many championships including The International 2022 (Dota 2), ePremier League 2022 (FIFA), and FNCS C3 S2 2022 (Fortnite Champion Series: Chapter 3 Season 2). Alongside Tundra's competitive successes, Maxim has also overseen key partnerships with TikTok, Kappa and Paris Saint-Germain.
Tech entrepreneur Michael is known for building businesses from the ground up and finding the right patterns to help companies thrive. He forged his career with residential home technologies and AV for high-end cinemas, identifying specific needs and patenting technology.
Seeing the esports opportunity alongside fellow Co-Founders Maxim Demin and Anthony Graham, Michael transferred his wealth of start-up knowledge to the esports industry, launching Tundra and offering advisory support across investment, staffing and cost analysis. He is also a Board Advisor for EPIC Global, Europe’s leading esports and gaming agency which connects rights holders, elite athletes, influencers and brands to the world of esports.
Stephen Burgess is a Chartered Certified Accountant with over 20 years of experience in the world of auditing and industry accounting.
Stephen started his career at a top UK accountancy firm, where he spent over 10 years working his way up from being one of the junior members of staff to the senior management team. Stephen then branched out into the business sector where he has been involved in numerous successful start-ups and company acquisitions.
Sergei Alimirzoev is an expert in international corporate law, international business transactions and tax planning, with over 20 years of legal and tax advisory background. He is also the founding partner of ATL Consulting SARL, a Swiss-based consulting firm which provides quality advice to international and domestic clients on complex multi-jurisdictional issues.
Prior to forming ATL Consulting SARL, he worked as an attorney for various international law firms based in London, Washington, D.C. and in Moscow. Mr. Alimirzoev specialises in representing international corporate clients in cross-border corporate, securities and commercial transactions, and has developed a recognised tax expertise in representing clients in various cross-border matters.
Executive Management Team
Danny Lopez, Managing Director at Story Mode, began his esports career at Fnatic as Creative Director and continued to explore the world of creativity in esports working with Riot Games and FACEIT, before heading to North America to work with pro esports teams Immortals and NYXL.
Danny was also instrumental in developing and cementing the brand identity for David Beckham co-owned sports organisation Guild Esports after its launch in 2020, which led to him being nominated for Esports Creative of the Year at the 2021 Esports Awards. Danny continues to oversee all brand activity at Tundra Esports and supports Epic Global with creative and brand.
Sinead Hosey is a leading youth culture market consultant; educating brands, esports teams and traditional sport on their interactions with Gen Z. With a background in consumer marketing, she has worked, at a senior & c-suite level, with some of the world's biggest multinationals, including Vodafone and Huawei. She is the co-founder of Epic Global Agency and holds a BComm in Commerce & a MBS in Business and Marketing.
Trev Keane is an accomplished competitive gaming executive and published author, specialising in bridging the gap between traditional sports and esports. He has helped some of the biggest rights holders and athletes in the world seamlessly enter the ever-growing industries of gaming and esports, and is currently the MD of Epic Global Agency. He holds a BA in Accounting and Finance and a MSC in Digital Marketing.
Anthony began his career in corporate and commercial banking with Coutts and Morgan Stanley before taking his first step into esports in 2019 and setting up Tundra with his two Co-Founders Maxim Demin and Michael Munro
Anthony has leveraged his business acumen to help develop Tundra's operational plan and decipher which esports the organisation should expand and invest in.
Anthony manages the day-to-day running of each competitive roster focusing on performance, development and well-being. Through his leadership, the organisation has quickly risen through the ranks in Dota 2, Fortnite and most recently partnered with Paris Saint-Germain in Rocket League uniting both brands' resources and audiences.