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 categories have already closed for submissions and will be judged using anonymised employee surveys, we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards.
These supplementary honors celebrate organisations that demonstrate exceptional performance in particular domains such as diversity, environmental responsibility, talent development and corporate citizenship. The extended deadline means that nominations for the following special categories can be submitted up until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September.
Unlike the headline Best Places To Work categories, which focus on overall employee satisfaction, the Special Awards are stand‑alone recognitions that any UK‑based business operating within or alongside the games sector may enter. The list of eligible categories includes: - **Diversity Award** – acknowledging companies that have made measurable progress in building inclusive workplaces and promoting representation across gender, ethnicity, disability and other dimensions of diversity.
- **Green Award** – celebrating firms that have implemented robust sustainability initiatives, reduced carbon footprints, or pioneered eco‑friendly production practices. - **HR Hero Award** – honouring human‑resources professionals or teams whose innovative policies and programmes have significantly improved employee experience. - **Training and Development Award** – recognising organisations that invest heavily in upskilling, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities for their staff. - **Education Award** – highlighting partnerships with educational institutions, apprenticeship schemes, or outreach programmes that nurture the next generation of game‑making talent.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – rewarding businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical conduct, community engagement and social impact beyond profit motives. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on initiatives that support mental health, physical wellness, work‑life balance and overall employee wellbeing. Nominations may be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s practices – internal employees, external partners, suppliers or even customers.
Each submission should include concrete examples, measurable outcomes and, where possible, supporting data that illustrate why the nominee deserves recognition in the chosen category. The judging panel, comprising industry veterans, HR experts and sustainability consultants, will review all entries next week. Their assessments will inform the final selections, which will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October.
In addition to the awards, we would like to remind you that tickets are still on sale for the upcoming GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit. This year’s summit will centre on the evolving landscape of People & Work, exploring topics such as remote‑first cultures, talent retention in a post‑pandemic world, and the integration of AI tools into HR workflows. The summit will take place during the day preceding the awards ceremony, offering attendees a chance to network, share best practices and gain insights from leading voices in the field before the evening’s celebrations.
For organisations that are still contemplating whether to submit a nomination, consider the broader benefits of participation. Being shortlisted or winning a Special Award not only provides public acknowledgment of your company’s commitment to excellence in a specific area, but also enhances employer branding, attracts top talent and can serve as a benchmark for continuous improvement. Moreover, the nomination process itself encourages internal reflection on current policies and may spark ideas for future initiatives.
To submit a nomination, visit the official Best Places To Work Awards portal, select the appropriate special category, and complete the online form with all required details. Ensure that all supporting documentation is uploaded before the midnight deadline on 7 September. Late submissions will not be considered, so we advise you to act promptly. We look forward to receiving a diverse array of nominations that showcase the innovative spirit and social responsibility of the UK games industry.
Whether you are a small indie studio championing inclusive hiring practices, a large publisher pioneering green production methods, or a training provider delivering cutting‑edge educational programmes, there is a special award that can highlight your achievements. Thank you for your continued engagement, and we anticipate celebrating your successes at the awards ceremony on 1 October.