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 deadline for the primary award categories has already passed – those are judged on the basis of anonymous feedback from employees – we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards. These supplemental categories celebrate companies that excel in particular aspects of workplace excellence, such as diversity, environmental stewardship, and employee development.
Nominations for the following special categories will be accepted up until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) awards, these recognitions are stand‑alone and are open to any UK‑based business that operates within the games sector or provides services to it. Whether you are a large publisher, an indie studio, a middleware provider, or a support service firm, you are eligible to put forward a nominee for each of the listed awards. - **Diversity Award** – honors an organisation that demonstrates a genuine commitment to building a workforce that reflects a broad spectrum of backgrounds, identities, and perspectives, and that has implemented effective policies and programmes to promote inclusion.
- **Green Award** – recognises a company that has taken measurable steps to reduce its environmental footprint, whether through sustainable office practices, carbon‑offset initiatives, eco‑friendly production pipelines, or innovative approaches to resource management. - **HR Hero Award** – celebrates an individual or team within HR who has gone above and beyond to support staff, drive cultural change, or introduce pioneering people‑centric solutions. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledges an organisation that invests heavily in upskilling its employees, offering robust mentorship schemes, continuous learning opportunities, and clear pathways for career progression. - **Education Award** – highlights a business that contributes significantly to educational outreach, whether by partnering with schools, running apprenticeship programmes, or providing industry‑relevant curricula.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – rewards a firm that demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility to the wider community, engaging in charitable activities, ethical sourcing, or other socially beneficial projects. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focuses on companies that prioritise the physical and mental health of their staff through comprehensive wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive workplace cultures. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s practices – internal employees, former staff, partners, suppliers, or even external observers who have witnessed the company’s achievements. All submissions will be reviewed by an independent judging panel next week, with the results announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October.
In addition to the awards, tickets remain on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year centres on the evolving landscape of People & Work in the games industry. The summit will take place earlier on the same day as the awards ceremony, offering a full day of expert panels, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to help HR professionals, managers, and leaders anticipate and shape the future of work in this fast‑moving sector. The extended nomination period provides a valuable window for organisations that may have missed the original deadline to showcase their achievements in these critical areas. By highlighting excellence in diversity, sustainability, employee development, and social responsibility, the Special Awards aim to set benchmarks that inspire the entire industry to raise its standards.
Whether you are a small studio championing inclusive hiring practices or a large publisher pioneering green production methods, this is your chance to gain recognition among peers and industry leaders. To submit a nomination, visit the official Best Places To Work Awards portal, select the relevant special category, and complete the short questionnaire that asks for evidence, case studies, and measurable outcomes. Supporting documentation such as policy documents, impact reports, or testimonials can strengthen your entry.
The judging criteria focus on demonstrable impact, innovation, and the scalability of the initiatives presented. Remember, the deadline is midnight on 7 September, so act promptly to ensure your nomination is considered. We look forward to receiving a diverse array of submissions that reflect the dynamic and forward‑thinking nature of the UK 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.