Philip Ashcroft pairs 20+ years of executive leadership in entertainment, gaming, and AI with daily classroom practice teaching coding and robotics in South Los Angeles. He ran North American operations for two venture-backed technology companies, held head-level roles at BBC Worldwide, and served on the BAFTA Los Angeles board. Today he builds from the classroom side — and knows what teachers need on Monday morning, and what it takes to build, sell, and scale the product that meets it.
Teaches two grades 6–8 electives — Coding (CodeCombat, Ozaria) and Robotics (Carnegie Mellon VEX IQ) — across six sections of mixed-grade, mixed-experience students at Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 12.
Guest lecturer at UCLA Extension (2017–2018) — bringing the same ability to make technical material land with a room, whether the room is 11 years old or 21.
Leads the 6th grade team at ACRMA 12 and the advisory program, and serves as Vice President of CSTA Greater Los Angeles, supporting K–12 CS teachers across the region.
| Role | Years |
|---|---|
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Business Development Advisor
Independent — advising technology and media ventures on go-to-market strategy, partnerships, and North American expansion
|
2021–Present |
|
President, North America
Charisma.ai — led North American business for a conversational AI platform powering interactive stories and virtual characters
|
2019–2021 |
|
President, North America
Moxion — led U.S. expansion for a cloud platform for secure, high-resolution dailies and review on film and TV productions (later acquired by Autodesk)
|
2019 |
|
Founder & Chief Creative
RTSTRY — founded and led a creative venture, directing concept development, production, and partnerships
|
2015–2023 |
|
Commercial Director
Gamevice — led commercial strategy for a mobile gaming controller hardware company, including retail and platform partnerships
|
2014–2015 |
|
General Manager, TakePart TV (YouTube)
Participant Media — ran Participant Media's YouTube channel, building a digital audience for social-impact programming
|
2012 |
|
Owner & Consultant
Island Nation Media — digital media consultancy delivering content strategy, video production, and brand development
|
2008–2014 |
|
Head-level roles: Business Development, Content Development, Brand Management
BBC Worldwide — led business, content, and brand development for the BBC's commercial arm, extending BBC brands into new products, platforms, and markets
|
2002–2008 |