With Gamescom now safely in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its full attention to the evaluation process for this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the deadline for the flagship awards—those judged on anonymous employee surveys—has already passed, we have decided to keep the window open a little longer for the Special Awards. These supplemental categories celebrate companies that excel in particular domains, such as diversity, environmental stewardship, training, and corporate responsibility.
The extended nomination period runs until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the core Best Places to Work categories, which are limited to organisations that have completed the employee‑feedback questionnaire, the Special Awards are open to any UK‑based business that operates within the games sector or provides services to it. This inclusive approach ensures that a broad spectrum of companies—ranging from indie studios to large publishers and supporting service providers—can be recognised for their contributions in areas that matter to the industry’s future.
The Special Awards on offer this year are: - **The Diversity Award** – honouring firms that have implemented measurable, impactful initiatives to increase representation and foster an inclusive workplace culture. - **The Green Award** – celebrating organisations that have taken concrete steps to reduce their environmental footprint, adopt sustainable production practices, or champion eco‑friendly policies. - **HR Hero Award** – acknowledging human‑resources teams or leaders who have demonstrated exceptional skill in talent acquisition, employee engagement, or innovative people‑management strategies.
- **Training and Development Award** – rewarding companies that provide robust learning pathways, mentorship programmes, or up‑skilling opportunities that empower staff to grow professionally. - **Education Award** – recognizing partnerships with educational institutions, apprenticeship schemes, or outreach programmes that nurture the next generation of game‑making talent. - **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – highlighting businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive social impact, whether through charitable work, community involvement, or ethical business practices.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on initiatives that promote mental health, physical wellness, and overall work‑life balance for employees. Nominations can be submitted by anyone—internal staff members, external partners, clients, or even members of the public—who can attest to a company’s achievements in the relevant category. To nominate, simply fill out the online form on the GamesIndustry.biz website, providing a concise description of the initiative, supporting evidence, and contact details for follow‑up if needed. All submissions will be reviewed by an independent panel of industry experts next week, with the final selections announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October.
In addition to the awards, we would like to remind readers that tickets are still on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit. This year’s summit, themed "The Future of People & Work," will take place on the morning of 1 October, just before the awards ceremony. The programme features thought‑leaders discussing emerging trends in talent management, diversity and inclusion, remote‑working strategies, and the evolving role of HR in a rapidly changing industry. Attendees will have the chance to network with peers, share best practices, and gain insights that can be directly applied within their own organisations.
The decision to extend the Special Awards nomination deadline reflects our commitment to recognising the full breadth of excellence within the games ecosystem. While employee satisfaction remains a cornerstone of the main Best Places to Work awards, we recognise that many companies are making significant strides in areas that are equally vital for long‑term sustainability and societal impact.
By shining a spotlight on these initiatives, we hope to encourage more organisations to adopt progressive policies and to celebrate those that are already leading the way. If your company has launched a groundbreaking diversity program, reduced its carbon emissions through innovative studio design, or introduced a comprehensive mental‑health support system, now is the perfect time to submit your story. Even if you are an external observer who has witnessed a firm’s exemplary work, your nomination can help bring well‑deserved recognition to those efforts. We look forward to receiving a diverse array of nominations and to announcing the winners who embody the highest standards of excellence across these critical domains.
For any questions about the nomination process, eligibility criteria, or the upcoming HR Summit, please contact the GamesIndustry.biz awards team via the contact information provided on our website. Remember, the deadline is midnight on 7 September—don’t miss the chance to celebrate the outstanding achievements that are shaping a better, more inclusive, and more sustainable future for the games industry.