With Gamescom now safely in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the crucial task of evaluating the submissions for this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the deadline for the flagship awards—those judged on the basis of anonymous employee surveys—has already passed, we have decided to keep the window open for the Special Awards nominations. These particular accolades celebrate superior performance in distinct, high‑impact domains and are intended to shine a light on companies that go above and beyond the ordinary in areas such as diversity, sustainability, and employee well‑being. The extended nomination period runs until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September.
Unlike the core BPTW categories, which are limited to a shortlist of companies selected by the judging panel, the Special Awards are open to any UK‑based business that operates within or alongside the video‑games sector. This inclusive approach ensures that organisations of all sizes—from indie studios to large publishers—have the chance to be recognised for the unique contributions they make to the industry’s broader social and environmental landscape. Below is the full roster of Special Award categories that are currently accepting nominations: - **The Diversity Award** – honours a company that has demonstrated measurable progress in building an inclusive workforce, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering a culture where diverse voices are heard and valued.
- **The Green Award** – celebrates an organisation that has implemented effective environmental initiatives, reduced its carbon footprint, or pioneered sustainable practices that benefit both the planet and the gaming community. - **HR Hero Award** – recognises an individual or team within HR who has introduced innovative people‑management strategies, championed employee advocacy, or delivered exceptional support during challenging times. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledges a business that invests heavily in up‑skilling its staff, offering robust learning pathways, mentorship programmes, and continuous professional development opportunities.
- **Education Award** – highlights an entity that has made a significant impact on educational outreach, whether through partnerships with schools, scholarships, or the creation of learning resources that inspire the next generation of game creators. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – rewards a company whose CSR initiatives go beyond philanthropy, integrating social responsibility into its core operations and creating lasting positive change in local or global communities. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focuses on organisations that prioritise mental and physical health, providing comprehensive wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and resources that support a balanced lifestyle for employees. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominated company’s practices—this includes internal staff members, external partners, suppliers, or even members of the public who have observed the company’s efforts first‑hand.
All entries should be accompanied by concrete evidence, such as statistics, case studies, or testimonials, to substantiate the claim of excellence in the chosen category. The judging panel, comprised of industry veterans, HR specialists, and sustainability experts, will review all submissions next week. Their assessment will be based on criteria such as impact, innovation, scalability, and alignment with best‑practice standards.
Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, a high‑profile event that brings together leaders from across the gaming ecosystem to celebrate workplace excellence. In addition to the awards, attendees still have the chance to secure tickets for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which will take place earlier in the day on the same date as the ceremony. This year’s summit theme, "The Future of People & Work," will explore emerging trends in talent acquisition, remote collaboration, diversity and inclusion strategies, and the evolving role of HR technology in the gaming industry. Expert speakers, interactive workshops, and networking sessions will provide valuable insights for anyone looking to shape the next generation of workplace culture.
If you represent a UK‑based game studio, publisher, or service provider, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the extended deadline. Submitting a nomination not only gives your organisation the opportunity to be celebrated for its hard work but also contributes to a broader conversation about what a responsible, forward‑thinking, and people‑centric games industry can look like. For more information on how to nominate, the judging criteria, or to purchase tickets for the HR Summit, please visit the official Best Places To Work Awards website or contact the GamesIndustry.biz team directly. Remember, the clock is ticking—make sure your nomination is in before midnight on 7 September to be considered for one of these prestigious special recognitions.