With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its full attention to evaluating the submissions for this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the primary awards have already closed their entry window and will be judged on the basis of anonymous employee surveys, we have decided to lengthen the nomination period for the Special Awards. These supplemental categories celebrate organisations that excel in particular aspects of workplace excellence, and we want to give as many companies as possible the chance to be considered.
The extended deadline means that nominations for the following special categories will be accepted up until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the headline Best Places To Work categories, these awards are distinct and are open to any UK‑based business that operates within, or collaborates with, the games sector.
Whether you are a large publisher, an indie studio, a middleware provider, or a support service firm, you may put forward a nomination for any of the areas listed below: - **Diversity Award** – recognising companies that have implemented robust policies and initiatives to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce. - **Green Award** – honouring organisations that have taken measurable steps to reduce their environmental footprint, from sustainable office practices to carbon‑neutral production pipelines.
- **HR Hero Award** – celebrating HR teams or individuals who have gone above and beyond to support staff, champion employee rights, and drive strategic people initiatives. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledging firms that invest heavily in upskilling their staff, offering comprehensive learning programmes, mentorship schemes and career‑progression pathways. - **Education Award** – highlighting contributions to educational outreach, whether through partnerships with schools, scholarships, apprenticeships, or community‑based learning projects.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – rewarding businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to social responsibility, charitable giving, community engagement and ethical practices. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on organisations that prioritise mental and physical health, providing resources such as wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive workplace cultures. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the company’s practices – internal employees, former staff members, partners, suppliers, or even external observers who have witnessed the company’s achievements in these areas. All entries will be reviewed by an independent panel of industry experts and HR professionals.
The judging process will take place during the week following the deadline, ensuring that the results are ready in time for the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. In addition to the awards, tickets remain available for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year centres on the future of People & Work within the gaming industry. The summit will run earlier on the same day as the awards ceremony and will feature a series of panels, workshops and keynote speakers discussing emerging trends such as hybrid work models, talent retention, mental health strategies, and the evolving role of HR technology.
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers, share best practices, and gain actionable insights that can be applied directly to their organisations. To submit a nomination, simply visit the official Best Places To Work Awards website, select the relevant special category, and fill out the brief questionnaire that asks for concrete examples, supporting data and any relevant documentation. Be as specific as possible – judges look for measurable outcomes, such as percentage reductions in carbon emissions, diversity statistics, employee satisfaction scores, or the number of training hours delivered.
Including quotes from staff members, case studies, or third‑party recognitions can strengthen your submission. Remember, the extended voting window is your last chance to ensure that your company’s hard work in these critical areas receives the recognition it deserves. Whether you excel in fostering an inclusive culture, championing environmental stewardship, or pioneering innovative employee development programmes, the Special Awards provide a platform to showcase those achievements to the broader games industry community.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the organisations that are setting the benchmark for excellence across the sector. If you have any questions about the nomination process, eligibility criteria, or the upcoming HR Summit, please do not hesitate to contact the GamesIndustry.biz awards team via the contact details provided on the website.
Good luck, and we hope to see you at the ceremony on 1 October!