With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the critical task of evaluating the submissions for this year’s Best Places To Work (BPTW) Awards. While the primary award entries have already closed and will be assessed using anonymised feedback from employees, we have decided to prolong the nomination window for the Special Awards. These ancillary categories celebrate superior performance in distinct, high‑impact areas and give organisations an extra platform to showcase their commitment to best practice.
The extended deadline means that nominations for the following special categories will be accepted until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the core BPTW awards, which focus on overall workplace culture, these special recognitions are tailored to specific initiatives and are open to any UK‑based company that operates within or collaborates with the games sector.
Whether you are a large publisher, an indie studio, a technology supplier, or a service provider, you are eligible to put forward a candidate for each award. The categories on offer are: - **The Diversity Award** – honouring organisations that have demonstrably increased representation, fostered inclusive environments, and implemented policies that support a diverse workforce across gender, ethnicity, neurodiversity, and other dimensions. - **The Green Award** – celebrating companies that have taken concrete steps toward environmental stewardship, such as reducing carbon footprints, adopting sustainable production methods, or championing eco‑friendly initiatives throughout the development pipeline. - **HR Hero Award** – recognising individuals or teams within HR who have gone above and beyond to create supportive, innovative, and effective people‑management practices that directly improve employee satisfaction and retention.
- **Training and Development Award** – highlighting firms that provide robust learning pathways, mentorship programmes, and up‑skilling opportunities that empower staff to grow professionally and stay ahead of industry trends. - **Education Award** – acknowledging contributions to educational outreach, whether through partnerships with academic institutions, scholarship schemes, or community programmes that inspire the next generation of game creators. - **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – rewarding businesses that embed social responsibility into their core strategy, delivering positive societal impact through charitable work, ethical sourcing, or community engagement.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on initiatives that promote mental and physical health, including wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and resources that help employees maintain a healthy work‑life balance. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominated organisation’s efforts – internal staff members, external partners, suppliers, or even clients are all welcome to put forward a candidate.
Each submission should include a concise description of the initiative, measurable outcomes where possible, and evidence of the impact on employees, the wider community, or the environment. The judging panel, comprising senior industry veterans, HR specialists, and sustainability experts, will review all entries next week.
Their assessment will focus on originality, effectiveness, scalability, and the tangible benefits delivered. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, an event that brings together leaders from across the games ecosystem to celebrate workplace excellence. In addition to the awards, tickets remain available for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which will be held on the morning of 1 October, just before the ceremony. This year’s summit theme, "The Future of People & Work," will explore emerging trends such as hybrid working models, mental‑health support frameworks, diversity and inclusion strategies, and the role of technology in shaping the employee experience.
Attendees will have the chance to hear from thought‑leaders, participate in interactive workshops, and network with peers who are driving change within the industry. To summarise, the extended nomination period offers a valuable chance for organisations to gain recognition for their specialised achievements. Whether your company has pioneered a groundbreaking diversity programme, reduced its carbon emissions dramatically, or introduced an industry‑leading health initiative, you now have additional time to submit a compelling case. Remember, the deadline is midnight on Monday, 7 September, so gather your evidence, craft a persuasive nomination, and submit it through the official portal.
We look forward to receiving a diverse range of entries that showcase the innovative spirit and social responsibility that define the modern games industry. Good luck to all participants, and we hope to see you at both the HR Summit and the awards ceremony on 1 October.