With Gamescom now firmly 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 prolong the submission window for our Special Awards, which celebrate superior performance in a range of targeted disciplines.
The new deadline for nominating candidates in the following categories is midnight on Monday, 7 September. These special recognitions operate independently of the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) awards and are open to any UK‑based organisation that either works within the games sector or provides services to it. - Diversity Award - Green Award - HR Hero Award - Training and Development Award - Education Award - Corporate Social Responsibility Award - Health and Well‑Being Award Both internal stakeholders – such as staff members, managers and board members – and external observers – including partners, suppliers, clients or industry commentators – are welcome to put forward nominations.
After the submission period ends, a panel of judges will review the entries throughout the following week, with the results to be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. Why extend the voting period?
The decision reflects our commitment to ensuring that every deserving organisation has a fair chance to be considered, especially in categories that often require a deeper look at long‑term initiatives and cultural impact. For instance, the Diversity Award looks beyond simple head‑count metrics and examines how companies embed inclusive practices into recruitment, promotion, mentorship and everyday workplace interactions. The Green Award assesses environmental stewardship, from carbon‑reduction strategies and renewable energy adoption to sustainable packaging and waste‑management programmes.
The HR Hero Award celebrates individuals or teams who have driven innovative people‑centric policies, while the Training and Development Award recognises robust learning frameworks that upskill staff and nurture career progression. The Education Award highlights partnerships with academic institutions, apprenticeship schemes and community outreach programmes that build a pipeline of talent for the games industry.
Meanwhile, the Corporate Social Responsibility Award evaluates broader societal contributions, such as charitable initiatives, community volunteering and ethical supply‑chain management. Finally, the Health and Well‑Being Award focuses on mental‑health support, flexible working arrangements, wellness benefits and any other measures that promote a healthy work environment. Nominating an organisation or individual is straightforward. Submit a concise description of the nominee’s achievements, supporting evidence such as reports, case studies or testimonials, and explain how the nominee aligns with the specific criteria of the chosen award.
The more concrete and quantifiable the evidence, the stronger the nomination will be in the eyes of the judges. In addition to the awards, we would like to remind you that tickets are still on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
This year’s summit centres on the future of People & Work, exploring emerging trends, technology‑driven HR solutions, and strategies for building resilient, inclusive workplaces in a rapidly evolving industry. The summit will take place during the day preceding the awards ceremony, offering attendees a valuable opportunity to network, share best practices and gain insights from leading experts before the evening’s celebrations.
Whether you are a small indie studio, a mid‑size development house, a publishing powerhouse or a service provider supporting the games ecosystem, we encourage you to take advantage of the extended deadline. Recognising excellence in these specialised areas not only highlights the hard work of the nominees but also sets benchmarks for the wider industry to aspire to. By celebrating achievements in diversity, sustainability, employee development, education, corporate responsibility and health, we collectively push the games sector toward a more inclusive, responsible and thriving future.
To submit your nomination, visit the official Best Places To Work Awards portal, select the relevant special category, and fill in the required fields before 23:59 GMT on 7 September. For any questions about the nomination process, eligibility criteria or judging methodology, please contact the awards team via the provided support email. We look forward to receiving your entries and to honouring the organisations that are shaping a better workplace for everyone involved in games.