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 primary award categories have already closed their entry windows and will be judged on the basis of anonymised employee surveys, we have decided to prolong the nomination period for the Special Awards. These ancillary awards are designed to spotlight exceptional performance in particular domains that matter to the games sector, such as diversity, sustainability, employee wellbeing and corporate responsibility. The new deadline for submitting nominations for the Special Awards is midnight on Monday, 7 September.
Unlike the headline categories, which are limited to companies that have completed the full employee‑feedback questionnaire, the Special Awards are open to any UK‑based business that operates in, or collaborates with, the games industry. This inclusive approach means that studios, publishers, service providers, educational institutions and even ancillary suppliers can put forward a candidate that they feel exemplifies best practice in one of the listed areas. The seven Special Award categories are: 1.
**The Diversity Award** – Recognising organisations that have made measurable strides in fostering an inclusive workplace, promoting representation across gender, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity and other dimensions of identity. 2. **The Green Award** – Celebrating companies that have implemented effective environmental initiatives, reduced carbon footprints, embraced sustainable production methods, or otherwise demonstrated a commitment to ecological stewardship.
3. **HR Hero Award** – Honouring individuals or teams within HR who have introduced innovative people‑management strategies, championed employee engagement, or resolved complex workforce challenges with creativity and empathy. 4. **Training and Development Award** – Acknowledging firms that provide robust learning pathways, mentorship programmes, up‑skilling opportunities, or career‑progression frameworks that empower staff to grow professionally.
5. **Education Award** – Highlighting contributions to formal or informal education, such as partnerships with schools, scholarships, curriculum development, or outreach programmes that inspire the next generation of game creators.
6. **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – Recognising businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive social impact, whether through community projects, charitable giving, ethical sourcing, or advocacy work. 7.
**Health and Well‑Being Award** – Commending organisations that prioritize mental health, physical wellness, work‑life balance, and supportive workplace cultures that help employees thrive. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with knowledge of the nominee’s achievements – internal staff members, external partners, clients, or even industry observers are all welcome to put forward a candidate. Each submission should include a concise description of the initiative, evidence of its impact, and any supporting metrics or testimonials that illustrate why the nominee stands out.
The judging panel, composed of senior HR professionals, industry analysts and former award winners, will review all entries next week. Their assessment will consider the originality of the initiative, the scale of its effect, and the degree to which it aligns with the values of the games community.
Winners will be announced at the Best Places To Work Awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, where they will join the main award recipients on stage. In addition to the awards, tickets remain available for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which will take place earlier on the same day as the ceremony. This year’s summit theme, "The Future of People & Work," will explore emerging trends in talent acquisition, remote collaboration, employee wellbeing, and the evolving role of HR technology in the games sector. Attendees can expect keynote presentations from leading experts, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities that connect HR practitioners with peers across the industry.
For organisations that have not yet entered a nomination, now is the ideal moment to reflect on the programmes and policies that set them apart. Whether you have launched a groundbreaking diversity recruitment drive, implemented a zero‑waste policy in your studio, or created a mentorship scheme that has helped junior talent ascend to senior roles, the Special Awards provide a platform to showcase those achievements to a broader audience. To submit a nomination, visit the official Best Places To Work Awards portal, select the relevant category, and complete the short online form before the 7 September deadline. Remember that the more detailed and data‑driven your submission, the easier it will be for the judges to understand the significance of your work.
We look forward to receiving a diverse range of nominations that reflect the vibrant, innovative, and socially responsible spirit of the UK games industry. Good luck to all participants, and we hope to see you at the awards ceremony and the HR Summit on 1 October.