With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the assessment phase of this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the primary award entries have already closed – those are judged on the basis of confidential employee surveys – we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards.
These supplementary categories celebrate exceptional performance in distinct areas of workplace excellence and are open to any UK‑based company that operates within or alongside the games sector. The extended deadline means that nominations for the following special categories will be accepted up until 23:59 on Monday 7 September.
Unlike the headline Best Places to Work categories, these awards focus on particular facets of organisational culture and responsibility, giving companies the opportunity to be recognised for targeted initiatives. The list of Special Awards includes: - **The Diversity Award** – honouring firms that have implemented robust, measurable strategies to promote inclusion across gender, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity and other dimensions of identity. - **The Green Award** – acknowledging organisations that have taken concrete steps to reduce their environmental footprint, whether through sustainable production practices, carbon‑offset programmes, or innovative green technologies. - **HR Hero Award** – celebrating HR professionals or teams that have gone above and beyond to support staff, drive engagement, and foster a positive workplace atmosphere.
- **Training and Development Award** – recognising companies that invest heavily in upskilling their workforce, offering comprehensive learning pathways, mentorship schemes and career‑progression opportunities. - **Education Award** – highlighting initiatives that bridge the gap between the games industry and educational institutions, such as apprenticeship programmes, scholarships, or curriculum collaborations.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – rewarding businesses that demonstrate a genuine commitment to societal good, whether through charitable partnerships, community outreach, or ethical business practices. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on organisations that prioritise employee mental and physical health, providing resources like wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive policies. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the company’s operations – internal staff members, external partners, clients, or even industry observers are all welcome to put forward a candidate. Each submission should include concrete examples, measurable outcomes and, where possible, supporting data that illustrate why the nominee stands out in the chosen category.
The judging panel, comprised of senior HR leaders, industry analysts and former award winners, will review all entries next week. Their evaluation will consider the depth of impact, innovation, scalability and sustainability of the initiatives described. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, an event that brings together the brightest minds in games development, publishing and business operations. In addition to the awards, there remains a limited supply of tickets for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year centres on the theme “The Future of People & Work.” The summit will run during the day preceding the awards ceremony and will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive workshops covering topics such as talent acquisition in a hybrid world, the evolving role of HR technology, and strategies for building resilient, inclusive cultures in fast‑moving creative environments.
If you represent a UK‑based games studio, a service provider, a publisher or any ancillary business that supports the industry, you are encouraged to take advantage of the extended nomination period. Submitting a nomination not only puts your organisation in the running for well‑deserved recognition but also highlights best practices that can inspire peers across the sector. To submit a nomination, visit the official Best Places to Work Awards portal, select the appropriate special category, and complete the online form with the required details.
Remember to provide clear evidence of achievement – statistics, case studies, employee testimonials and third‑party endorsements all strengthen your entry. The deadline of 7 September is fast approaching, so act now to ensure your company’s achievements are considered. Whether you are proud of your diversity initiatives, your carbon‑reduction milestones, your groundbreaking training programmes, or any of the other areas recognised by these special awards, this is your chance to showcase the hard work and dedication of your team.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the outstanding contributions that are shaping the future of work within the games industry.