With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the evaluation phase of this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the primary award categories have already closed their entry windows and will be judged on the basis of anonymised employee surveys, we have decided to lengthen the nomination period for the Special Awards.
These supplemental honors celebrate outstanding performance in particular disciplines and are intended to highlight best‑practice initiatives that go beyond the everyday workplace experience. The revised deadline for submitting nominations in the Special Awards categories is midnight on Monday, 7 September.
Unlike the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) awards, which focus on overall employee satisfaction, the Special Awards are distinct recognitions that any UK‑based company operating in or alongside the games sector can pursue. Whether you are a developer, a publisher, a service provider, or a support organisation, you are eligible to put forward a candidate for any of the following honours: - **Diversity Award** – celebrating organisations that have implemented inclusive hiring practices, fostered a culture of belonging, and demonstrated measurable progress in representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds. - **Green Award** – recognising companies that have adopted environmentally sustainable policies, reduced carbon footprints, or introduced innovative green technologies within their production pipelines.
- **HR Hero Award** – highlighting human‑resources teams or individuals who have introduced groundbreaking people‑centric programmes, championed employee wellbeing, or navigated complex workforce challenges with exceptional skill. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledging firms that provide robust learning pathways, mentorship schemes, or up‑skilling initiatives that empower staff to grow professionally within the industry.
- **Education Award** – honouring entities that contribute to formal or informal education related to games, such as university collaborations, apprenticeship programmes, or community outreach that nurtures the next generation of talent. - **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – rewarding organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to social impact, whether through charitable partnerships, community engagement, or ethical business practices. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on companies that prioritize mental and physical health, offering resources, support systems, and workplace environments that promote overall employee wellness.
Nominations may be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s achievements – internal staff members, external partners, clients, or industry peers are all welcome to put forward a candidate. Each submission should include a concise overview of the initiative, evidence of its impact, and any supporting data or testimonials that illustrate why the nominee stands out in its category. The judging panel, composed of seasoned industry professionals and subject‑matter experts, will review all entries next week.
Their assessment will consider the originality of the approach, the tangible outcomes achieved, and the potential for the initiative to serve as a benchmark for others in the sector. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, a gala event that brings together leaders, creators, and innovators from across the gaming ecosystem. In addition to the awards, the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit remains open for registration. This year’s summit, titled “The Future of People & Work,” will take place on the day preceding the awards ceremony.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from thought leaders on topics such as evolving talent strategies, the impact of remote and hybrid work models, diversity and inclusion frameworks, and the role of technology in shaping the employee experience. The summit also offers interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions designed to equip HR professionals with actionable insights for the year ahead.
If you have not yet submitted a nomination, now is the perfect moment to highlight the innovative work your organisation is doing in these critical areas. By participating, you not only stand a chance to be publicly recognised among the industry’s best, but you also contribute to a broader conversation about what makes a workplace truly exceptional in the fast‑moving world of games.
Remember, the deadline is 23:59 on 7 September, and nominations can be entered through the official Best Places To Work Awards portal. For further details on the nomination process, award criteria, or to secure a ticket to the HR Summit, please visit the GamesIndustry.biz website or contact the awards coordination team directly. We look forward to receiving your submissions and celebrating the remarkable achievements that are shaping the future of work in the games industry.