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 deadline for the flagship awards—those judged on anonymous employee surveys—has already passed, we have decided to prolong the nomination window for the Special Awards.
These supplementary categories celebrate companies that excel in particular aspects of workplace excellence, and we want to give every eligible organisation ample time to put forward their achievements. Nominations for the Special Awards will be accepted until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the core Best Places to Work categories, which focus on overall employee satisfaction, the Special Awards are distinct recognitions that target specific initiatives and programmes. They are open to any UK‑based business that operates within the games sector or provides services to it, meaning developers, publishers, technology providers, and support firms alike can take part.
The seven Special Award categories are as follows: - **The Diversity Award** – honouring firms that have implemented robust strategies to foster inclusive hiring, career progression, and a workplace culture that reflects a broad spectrum of backgrounds and perspectives. - **The Green Award** – recognising organisations that have taken measurable steps toward environmental sustainability, such as reducing carbon footprints, adopting renewable energy, or championing eco‑friendly production practices.
- **HR Hero Award** – celebrating HR teams or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovative policies, or crisis‑management skills that significantly improve employee experience. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledging companies that invest heavily in upskilling their staff through mentorship programmes, formal education partnerships, or continuous learning platforms.
- **Education Award** – highlighting initiatives that bridge the gap between academia and the games industry, including apprenticeship schemes, scholarship programmes, or collaborative research projects. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – rewarding businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive impact on society, whether through charitable contributions, community outreach, or ethical business practices.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on organisations that prioritise mental and physical health, offering resources such as wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive mental‑health policies. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the company’s practices—internal staff members, external partners, or even customers—so long as the nominee meets the eligibility criteria. After the submission deadline, a panel of industry experts will review each entry throughout the following week. Their assessment will consider the depth of the initiative, measurable outcomes, and the overall impact on employees and the wider community.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. In addition to the awards, tickets remain available for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year centres on the future of People & Work. The summit will run earlier in the day on the same date as the awards ceremony, offering a valuable opportunity for HR professionals, talent leaders, and organisational strategists to explore emerging trends, share best practices, and network with peers.
Topics will include the evolving role of remote work, strategies for nurturing inclusive cultures, and the integration of technology into people‑management processes. For businesses that have already submitted a nomination, we encourage you to use the extra time to refine your submission, gather supporting evidence, and perhaps include testimonials from employees or partners that illustrate the real‑world impact of your programmes. For those who have not yet entered, this extension provides a final chance to showcase the hard work and innovation that set your company apart in the competitive games industry landscape.
Remember, the Special Awards are not merely decorative accolades; they serve as a benchmark for industry standards and inspire other organisations to adopt similar practices. By highlighting achievements in diversity, sustainability, employee development, and corporate responsibility, the awards help to raise the overall quality of workplaces across the sector. If you have any questions about the nomination process, eligibility requirements, or the upcoming HR Summit, please contact the GamesIndustry.biz team via the provided channels. We look forward to receiving your entries and celebrating the outstanding contributions of UK‑based games companies to a healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable industry.