With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the evaluation process for this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the primary award categories have already closed for submissions and will be judged on the basis of anonymous employee surveys, we have decided to prolong the nomination window for the Special Awards. These ancillary honors are designed to spotlight companies that demonstrate excellence in particular aspects of workplace practice, ranging from diversity and environmental stewardship to employee well‑being and corporate responsibility.
The extended deadline means that nominations for the following seven special categories will be accepted up until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the core Best Places to Work (BPTW) awards, which are limited to a shortlist of organisations selected by internal voting, the Special Awards are open to any UK‑based business that operates within the games sector or provides services to it. This inclusive approach ensures that a broad spectrum of firms—whether they are large publishers, independent studios, middleware providers, or support services—can be recognised for their contributions in these focused areas.
The categories eligible for nomination are: 1. **The Diversity Award** – Celebrating companies that have made measurable progress in building a workforce that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and perspectives, and that have instituted policies fostering an inclusive culture. 2. **The Green Award** – Honouring organisations that have implemented sustainable practices, reduced their carbon footprint, or pioneered environmentally friendly initiatives within their operations or product development.
3. **HR Hero Award** – Recognising individuals or teams within HR who have gone above and beyond to support staff, innovate talent management processes, or champion employee advocacy.
4. **Training and Development Award** – Acknowledging firms that provide robust learning pathways, mentorship programmes, and continuous professional development opportunities for their staff. 5. **Education Award** – Highlighting businesses that contribute to educational outreach, partnerships with academic institutions, or the creation of learning resources that benefit the wider games community.
6. **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – Rewarding companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical practices, community engagement, charitable initiatives, and responsible business conduct.
7. **Health and Well‑Being Award** – Commending organisations that prioritize mental and physical health, offering comprehensive wellness programmes, supportive policies, and a culture that values work‑life balance. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominated company’s practices—this includes internal employees, former staff, partners, suppliers, or even external observers who have witnessed the company’s achievements. All submissions will be reviewed by an independent panel of industry experts and HR professionals next week, ensuring a fair and transparent assessment process.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, a night that brings together industry leaders, talent managers, and media representatives to celebrate the very best workplaces in gaming. In addition to the awards, the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit will take place on the same day, preceding the ceremony.
This year’s summit theme, “The Future of People & Work,” will explore emerging trends such as hybrid work models, diversity and inclusion strategies, mental health support, and the impact of technology on talent management. Attendees will have the chance to hear from thought‑leaders, participate in interactive workshops, and network with peers from across the sector. Seats for the summit are still available, and we encourage anyone interested in shaping the next chapter of workplace culture in games to register.
To summarise, the extended nomination period offers a valuable chance for companies to gain recognition for the specific initiatives that set them apart. Whether you are proud of your sustainability roadmap, your commitment to employee development, or your innovative HR practices, we invite you to submit a nomination before the 7 September deadline.
Your contribution will help highlight the diverse ways in which the games industry is evolving to become more inclusive, responsible, and supportive of its people. We look forward to receiving your entries and celebrating the achievements of the sector at the upcoming awards ceremony.