With Gamescom now safely 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 nominations have already closed – those are assessed using anonymised feedback from employees – we have decided to lengthen the submission window for the Special Awards, which spotlight exceptional performance in particular domains.
The new deadline for nominating candidates in the following special categories is midnight on Monday, 7 September. These recognitions operate independently of the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) categories and are open to any UK‑based organisation that works within, or alongside, the video‑games sector. - Diversity Award – celebrating workplaces that champion inclusive hiring, equitable career progression and a culture where differences are valued. - Green Award – honouring companies that have implemented robust environmental initiatives, reduced carbon footprints, and embraced sustainable production practices.
- HR Hero Award – acknowledging human‑resources teams that have demonstrated innovative talent management, employee engagement, and supportive workplace policies. - Training and Development Award – recognizing firms that invest heavily in up‑skilling staff, provide continuous learning pathways, and foster professional growth.
- Education Award – highlighting organisations that contribute to educational outreach, mentorship programmes, or partnerships with academic institutions to nurture the next generation of game creators. - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award – rewarding businesses that integrate social good into their core strategies, from community projects to ethical sourcing.
- Health and Well‑Being Award – focusing on employers that prioritise mental and physical health, offering comprehensive wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive resources. Nominations may be submitted by anyone – whether you are an internal employee, a former staff member, a partner organisation, or an external observer familiar with the company’s practices.
Once the nomination period closes, a panel of industry experts will review the submissions throughout the following week, with final decisions announced ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. The Special Awards are designed to shine a light on the nuanced ways that game‑related companies can excel beyond profit margins.
For example, a studio that implements a rigorous recycling protocol for its hardware, or one that partners with local schools to deliver coding workshops, can be recognised alongside more traditional metrics of workplace satisfaction. By extending the voting period, we hope to capture a broader range of stories and ensure that deserving organisations have ample time to be considered. In addition to the awards, tickets remain on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year centres on the future of People & Work.
The summit will take place during the day preceding the awards ceremony and will feature panels, workshops, and networking sessions aimed at helping HR professionals navigate evolving challenges such as remote collaboration, diversity and inclusion strategies, and the impact of emerging technologies on talent management. Attendees will gain insight from thought leaders who have successfully integrated sustainable practices into their operational models, as well as from those who have pioneered innovative employee wellbeing programmes.
The summit also offers a platform for sharing case studies that align with the Special Awards categories, providing a practical context for how excellence can be achieved and measured. If you represent a company that has made significant strides in any of the listed areas, we strongly encourage you to submit a nomination before the September 7 deadline.
Detailed guidelines for each award category are available on the Best Places To Work Awards website, including criteria such as measurable outcomes, employee testimonials, and evidence of long‑term commitment. Remember, the Special Awards are not limited to large studios; indie developers, publishers, and ancillary service providers are equally eligible.
Whether you have introduced a groundbreaking mentorship scheme, reduced your studio’s energy consumption by a substantial percentage, or cultivated a workplace where every voice feels heard, your achievements deserve recognition. To submit a nomination, visit the official awards portal, fill out the online form, and attach any supporting documentation that illustrates the impact of your initiatives. After submission, the judging panel will assess each entry against the predefined criteria, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. We look forward to celebrating the diverse ways in which the UK games industry is shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and people‑focused future.
Your participation helps highlight best practices that can inspire other organisations to follow suit, ultimately raising the overall standard of employment within the sector. For further information about the awards, the nomination process, or the HR Summit, please contact the GamesIndustry.biz team via the contact details provided on the website.