With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the crucial task of evaluating the submissions for this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the primary award categories have already closed – those that rely on anonymous employee surveys to determine the winners – we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards.
These particular honors are designed to spotlight outstanding performance in distinct, high‑impact areas of the games sector. The extended deadline means that nominations for the following special categories will be accepted until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the flagship Best Places to Work categories, these awards operate independently and are open to any UK‑based company that either operates within the games industry or provides services to it. The intention is to give a broader range of organisations the chance to be recognized for their contributions to critical topics such as diversity, sustainability, employee wellbeing and corporate responsibility.
The special categories up for consideration are: - **The Diversity Award** – celebrating companies that have implemented inclusive hiring practices, fostered a culture where varied perspectives thrive, and demonstrated measurable progress in building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the gaming community. - **The Green Award** – acknowledging firms that have taken concrete steps to reduce their environmental footprint, whether through carbon‑neutral initiatives, sustainable sourcing, waste reduction programmes, or innovative eco‑friendly game design practices.
- **HR Hero Award** – honouring HR professionals or teams who have gone above and beyond to support staff, develop forward‑thinking policies, and create a workplace environment where people feel valued and empowered. - **Training and Development Award** – recognizing organisations that invest heavily in upskilling their employees, offering robust learning pathways, mentorship schemes, and continuous professional development opportunities that keep talent at the cutting edge of industry trends.
- **Education Award** – highlighting partnerships with educational institutions, apprenticeship programmes, or internal academies that nurture the next generation of game developers, designers, and business leaders. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – rewarding companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to giving back to society, whether through charitable initiatives, community engagement, or ethical business practices that extend beyond profit motives.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on employers who prioritize mental and physical health, providing resources such as wellbeing programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive policies that help staff maintain a healthy work‑life balance. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominated organisation – this includes internal employees, external partners, clients, or even industry observers who have witnessed the company’s achievements first‑hand.
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of independent judges with expertise in the respective fields. The judging process is scheduled to conclude next week, ensuring that the results are ready in time for the awards ceremony slated for 1 October.
In addition to the awards, we would like to remind interested parties that tickets are still on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit. This year’s summit, held on the day preceding the awards ceremony, will centre on the evolving landscape of People & Work within the gaming sector.
Attendees can expect a packed agenda featuring thought‑leading speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities designed to equip HR professionals with the tools they need to navigate the future of work, from remote collaboration to inclusive culture building. The extension of the nomination period reflects our commitment to ensuring that deserving companies have ample time to present their case for recognition.
It also acknowledges that many organisations are still finalising their sustainability reports, diversity metrics, or wellbeing initiatives after the hectic post‑Gamescom period. By allowing nominations to be submitted up until the early September deadline, we hope to capture a more comprehensive snapshot of the industry’s best practices. If you are considering putting forward a nomination, here are a few tips to strengthen your submission: 1. **Provide concrete evidence** – Include statistics, case studies, or specific examples that illustrate the impact of the programme or policy you are nominating.
2. **Highlight outcomes** – Explain how the initiative has benefitted employees, the community, or the environment, and reference any measurable results where possible.
3. **Show alignment with award criteria** – Make clear connections between the nominee’s actions and the specific objectives of the award category. 4. **Keep it concise yet comprehensive** – While detail is important, aim for clarity and brevity to make the judges’ review process smoother.
All nominations should be submitted through the dedicated portal on the GamesIndustry.biz website. Once the judging panel has deliberated, winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on 1 October, an event that brings together industry leaders, HR professionals, and game developers to celebrate excellence across the sector. We encourage you to take advantage of this extended window, whether you are nominating your own company or recognising a peer that has set a high standard in any of the special categories.
Your participation not only helps highlight exemplary practices but also inspires other organisations to adopt similar initiatives, driving the entire industry forward. Remember, the deadline is midnight on Monday, 7 September – don’t miss the chance to showcase the hard work and innovative spirit that make your organisation stand out.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the best of the best at the upcoming awards ceremony.