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 nominations have already closed – those are judged on the basis of anonymous employee surveys – we have decided to lengthen the submission window for the Special Awards.
These supplementary categories celebrate excellence in particular aspects of workplace practice and are open to any UK‑based company that operates within or alongside the games sector. The revised deadline for entering the Special Awards is midnight on Monday, 7 September.
Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the organisation – whether an internal employee, a former staff member, a partner, or an external observer – and the judging panel will review all entries next week, ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. The Special Awards cover a range of topics that reflect the evolving priorities of the industry: - **Diversity Award** – recognizing companies that have made measurable progress in building a workforce that reflects a broad spectrum of backgrounds, identities, and perspectives.
- **Green Award** – honouring organisations that have implemented robust environmental policies, reduced carbon footprints, or pioneered sustainable production practices. - **HR Hero Award** – celebrating individuals or teams who have shown exceptional leadership in human resources, fostering a supportive and high‑performing culture. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledging firms that invest heavily in upskilling their staff, offering comprehensive learning pathways and career progression opportunities. - **Education Award** – highlighting contributions to formal or informal education initiatives that nurture the next generation of talent for the games industry.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – rewarding companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical business conduct, community engagement, and social impact. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on organisations that prioritise mental and physical health, providing resources, programs, and a workplace environment that supports overall employee wellbeing. These categories are distinct from the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) awards, which concentrate on overall employee satisfaction and organisational culture. The Special Awards allow companies to showcase targeted achievements that might otherwise be overlooked in a broader assessment.
To nominate a company, simply complete the online form on the GamesIndustry.biz website, providing concrete examples, metrics, or case studies that illustrate why the nominee deserves recognition in the chosen category. Supporting evidence – such as sustainability reports, diversity statistics, training curricula, or employee testimonials – strengthens the submission and assists the judges in making an informed decision.
Judging for the Special Awards will be conducted by a panel of industry experts, senior HR professionals, and independent consultants with experience in the relevant fields. Their evaluation will consider the depth of impact, innovation, scalability, and alignment with best practice standards.
The results will be announced during the awards ceremony on 1 October, a high‑profile event that gathers senior leaders, HR practitioners, and media from across the gaming ecosystem. In addition to the awards, tickets remain available for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which will be held on the day preceding the ceremony. This year’s summit is themed “The Future of People & Work,” and will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops that explore emerging trends such as hybrid working models, diversity and inclusion strategies, mental health initiatives, and the role of technology in talent management. Attendees will have the chance to network with peers, share insights, and gain actionable ideas to bring back to their own organisations.
If your company has taken bold steps to improve its workplace – whether by reducing its environmental impact, launching a comprehensive training programme, or fostering a culture of inclusion – now is the time to put that effort in the spotlight. The extended nomination window provides a final chance to ensure that these achievements receive the recognition they merit. Remember, the deadline is 23:59 GMT on 7 September.
Submissions received after this time will not be considered for the 2024 Special Awards. For any questions about the nomination process, eligibility criteria, or the upcoming HR Summit, please contact the GamesIndustry.biz awards team via the contact details listed on the website. We look forward to receiving your nominations and to celebrating the organisations that are shaping a more diverse, sustainable, and people‑centric future for the games industry.