With Gamescom now safely 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 their entry windows and will be assessed using anonymous feedback from employees, we have decided to lengthen the nomination period for a suite of Special Awards that celebrate excellence in particular domains.
These Special Awards operate independently of the flagship Best Places to Work categories and are open to any UK‑based company that operates within, or collaborates with, the video‑games sector. To give organisations ample time to gather the necessary information and to ensure a robust pool of candidates, nominations for the following categories will be accepted until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. - Diversity Award – honoring initiatives that foster inclusive workplaces where people of all backgrounds feel valued and can thrive.
- Green Award – recognizing companies that have made measurable strides toward environmental responsibility, from reducing carbon footprints to implementing sustainable production practices. - HR Hero Award – celebrating human‑resources professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, or support for their colleagues. - Training and Development Award – acknowledging organisations that invest heavily in upskilling their staff, providing clear career pathways and continuous learning opportunities. - Education Award – highlighting partnerships with educational institutions, mentorship programmes, or other efforts that nurture the next generation of talent for the games industry.
- Corporate Social Responsibility Award – rewarding businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive social impact, whether through community outreach, charitable work, or ethical business conduct. - Health and Well‑Being Award – focusing on initiatives that promote mental and physical health, work‑life balance, and overall employee well‑being. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the company’s practices – internal employees, external partners, clients, or even industry observers.
Each submission should include concrete examples, supporting data where possible, and a clear explanation of why the nominee stands out in the chosen category. The judging panel, composed of seasoned industry veterans and independent experts, will review all entries 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 this year centres on the evolving landscape of People & Work. The summit will run earlier in the day on the same date as the awards ceremony, offering a blend of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking sessions that explore emerging trends such as remote‑first work models, diversity and inclusion strategies, mental‑health support frameworks, and the future of talent development in the gaming sector. The decision to extend the nomination deadline reflects our commitment to inclusivity and fairness. We recognise that many companies are still finalising their sustainability reports, rolling out new training programmes, or gathering employee feedback, and we want to ensure that these efforts are given a chance to be acknowledged.
By providing an extra week, we hope to capture a broader and more representative snapshot of the innovative work taking place across the industry. If you are considering entering a nomination, here are a few practical tips to strengthen your submission: 1. **Gather Quantitative Evidence** – wherever possible, include metrics such as percentage reductions in energy use, diversity ratios, training hours per employee, or employee satisfaction scores.
Numbers lend credibility and make it easier for judges to compare entries. 2. **Tell a Compelling Story** – beyond the data, describe the journey: the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the impact on staff and the wider community.
A narrative that conveys passion and purpose resonates strongly. 3. **Highlight Collaboration** – many successful initiatives are the result of cross‑departmental teamwork. Showcase how different parts of the organisation – from HR and operations to product and community teams – worked together to achieve the award‑winning outcome.
4. **Provide Testimonials** – quotes from employees, partners, or beneficiaries can add a personal touch and illustrate real‑world effects. 5.
**Stay Within the Guidelines** – ensure your entry adheres to the word limits, formatting requirements, and submission deadlines outlined on the awards page. The awards ceremony on 1 October will be a celebration of the best workplaces in the UK games industry, featuring the presentation of both the headline Best Places to Work trophies and the Special Awards. Winners will receive not only a physical accolade but also heightened visibility within the sector, which can aid in talent attraction, brand reputation, and stakeholder confidence. We encourage all eligible companies to take advantage of this extended window and put forward their most compelling examples of excellence.
Whether your organisation excels at fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, leads the way in green initiatives, or provides outstanding health and well‑being support, there is a category that can showcase your achievements. For further details on the nomination process, judging criteria, or the HR Summit agenda, please visit the GamesIndustry.biz awards portal or contact the awards team directly. We look forward to receiving your entries and to celebrating the remarkable work that makes the games industry a better place to work.