With Gamescom now a thing of the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the evaluation process for this year’s Best Places To Work (BPTW) Awards. While the primary award categories have already closed for submissions and will be judged on the basis of anonymised employee feedback, we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards. These ancillary awards celebrate exceptional performance in particular domains and are intended to highlight best‑practice initiatives that go beyond the everyday metrics of workplace satisfaction.
The deadline for submitting nominations for the Special Awards has been pushed back to midnight on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the core BPTW categories, which focus on overall employee sentiment, the Special Awards are stand‑alone recognitions that any UK‑based business operating in or with the games sector can enter. Whether you are a large publisher, a boutique studio, a support service provider, or an educational institution that supplies talent to the industry, you are eligible to put forward a candidate for each of the following honours: - **The Diversity Award** – celebrating organisations that have demonstrably fostered inclusive cultures and have taken concrete steps to improve representation across gender, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity and other dimensions of identity. - **The Green Award** – recognising companies that have implemented effective environmental sustainability strategies, reduced carbon footprints, or pioneered eco‑friendly practices in production, distribution or office management.
- **HR Hero Award** – honouring individuals or teams within HR who have introduced innovative policies, championed employee advocacy, or delivered outstanding support during challenging periods. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledging firms that have invested heavily in up‑skilling their workforce, offering robust mentorship programmes, continuous learning pathways, and clear career progression routes.
- **Education Award** – highlighting collaborations between industry and academic bodies, apprenticeship schemes, or initiatives that bridge the gap between formal education and the practical demands of game development. - **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – rewarding organisations that have made a measurable positive impact on their communities, whether through charitable work, ethical sourcing, or socially responsible business practices. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on companies that prioritise mental health, physical wellness, work‑life balance, and have instituted supportive measures such as flexible working, wellbeing resources, and proactive health programs.
Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s achievements – this includes internal staff members, external partners, suppliers, or even customers who have observed the impact of the nominee’s work. All submissions will be reviewed by an independent judging panel next week, with the final decisions announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. In addition to the awards, tickets remain on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which will be held on the day preceding the ceremony.
This year’s summit is themed around the future of People & Work, offering a platform for thought leaders, HR professionals, and senior executives to discuss emerging trends, share best practices, and explore how the industry can adapt to evolving workforce expectations. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from speakers covering topics such as remote‑first work models, diversity and inclusion strategies, mental health support frameworks, and the role of technology in shaping employee experiences. If you haven’t yet nominated a candidate for any of the Special Awards, now is the perfect moment to act. Use the extended deadline to gather supporting evidence, craft compelling nomination statements, and ensure that the innovative work being done within your organisation receives the recognition it deserves.
Remember, these awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also set benchmarks for the wider industry, encouraging other companies to adopt similar standards of excellence. To submit a nomination, visit the official Best Places To Work Awards portal, select the appropriate category, and fill out the required fields with detailed examples of the nominee’s contributions.
Provide quantitative data where possible – such as percentages of diversity improvement, carbon reduction metrics, or employee engagement scores – to strengthen the case. Once submitted, your nomination will enter the confidential review process, where it will be evaluated alongside other entries based on impact, innovation, and alignment with the award criteria. We look forward to receiving a diverse range of nominations that showcase the breadth of talent and commitment present across the UK games industry. Whether you are highlighting a groundbreaking sustainability programme, an inspiring mentorship initiative, or a comprehensive health and wellbeing strategy, your submission helps paint a picture of an industry that values its people, its planet, and its communities.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this celebration of workplace excellence. Submit your nominations by the extended deadline of 7 September, attend the HR Summit for insights into the future of work, and join us on 1 October for an evening that recognises the very best of what makes the games sector a great place to build a career.