With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the critical task of evaluating submissions for this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the primary awards – those judged on anonymised employee surveys – have already closed for entries, we have decided to prolong the nomination window for the Special Awards, which celebrate excellence in particular areas of workplace practice. The extended deadline means that nominations for the following special categories will be accepted up to 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. These awards operate independently of the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) categories and are open to any UK‑based company that works within, or alongside, the video‑games sector.
Whether you are a large publisher, a boutique studio, a support service provider, or an educational institution linked to the industry, you are eligible to put forward a candidate. The special categories on offer this year are: - **The Diversity Award** – recognising organisations that have made measurable progress in building inclusive teams and fostering a culture where all voices are heard.
- **The Green Award** – honouring companies that have implemented effective environmental strategies, reduced carbon footprints, or introduced sustainable production practices. - **HR Hero Award** – celebrating human‑resources teams that have demonstrated innovative thinking, exceptional employee support, or breakthrough policies that improve workplace life. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledging firms that invest heavily in upskilling their staff, providing clear career pathways and continuous learning opportunities. - **Education Award** – highlighting initiatives that bridge the gap between academia and the games industry, such as apprenticeships, mentorship schemes, or collaborative research projects.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – rewarding businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive social impact, whether through community outreach, charitable partnerships, or ethical sourcing. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on organisations that prioritize mental and physical health, offering robust support programmes, flexible working arrangements, and a proactive approach to employee welfare. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominated organisation – internal staff members, external partners, clients, or even former employees are all welcome to put forward a candidate. Each nomination should include a concise description of the achievements being recognised, supporting evidence such as metrics, case studies, or testimonials, and contact details for any follow‑up questions the judging panel may have.
The judging process for the Special Awards will commence next week. A panel of industry experts, senior HR professionals, and sustainability specialists will review each submission against a set of transparent criteria tailored to the specific award. Their deliberations will be completed in time for the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, where the winners will be announced alongside the main BPTW categories.
In addition to the awards, the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit is still open for registration. This year’s summit, held on the day preceding the awards ceremony, will centre on the theme “The Future of People & Work.” Attendees can expect a full day of thought‑leading presentations, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities focused on emerging trends such as remote‑first workplaces, AI‑driven talent acquisition, wellbeing strategies, and the evolving role of HR in a rapidly changing industry landscape. The summit will feature speakers from leading studios, academic institutions, and specialist consultancies, each sharing practical insights and case studies that illustrate how forward‑thinking organisations are reshaping their people strategies. Whether you are an HR leader looking for fresh ideas, a manager seeking to improve team dynamics, or a senior executive interested in aligning workforce planning with broader business goals, the event promises valuable takeaways that can be applied immediately.
To recap, here are the key dates and actions you need to keep in mind: - **Nomination deadline for Special Awards:** 23:59 GMT, Monday 7 September. - **Judging period:** The week following the deadline, culminating in the awards ceremony.
- **Awards ceremony:** 1 October, where both the main BPTW winners and Special Awards recipients will be celebrated. - **HR Summit:** Held on 30 September, the day before the ceremony; tickets remain available and are strongly encouraged for anyone involved in people management or organisational development. We encourage all eligible companies to take advantage of this extended window to showcase the initiatives that set them apart.
Whether your strength lies in fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, pioneering green technologies, delivering world‑class training programmes, or championing employee health, the Special Awards provide a platform to gain industry‑wide recognition for your hard work. If you have any questions about the nomination process, the criteria for each category, or the logistics of the awards ceremony and summit, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the GamesIndustry.biz awards team. Your participation helps highlight best practices across the UK games sector and inspires others to raise the bar for workplace excellence.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and to celebrating the outstanding achievements of our industry’s most forward‑thinking employers.