With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the evaluation phase of this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. The primary award categories have already closed their entry windows, and those submissions will be assessed using anonymised feedback gathered from employees across participating organisations.
However, recognising that excellence can also be demonstrated in more specialised arenas, the organisers have decided to prolong the nomination deadline for the suite of Special Awards. These awards spotlight superior performance in particular domains such as diversity, environmental stewardship, human resources innovation and community impact, and they are open to any UK‑based company that operates within or collaborates with the games sector. All nominations for the following special categories will be accepted until 23:59 GMT on Monday 7 September. After this cut‑off, a panel of industry experts will review the submissions and determine the winners, with the results to be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October.
The Special Awards on offer are: - **The Diversity Award** – celebrating organisations that have made measurable strides in fostering an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds feel valued and can thrive. - **The Green Award** – recognising companies that have implemented effective strategies to reduce their environmental footprint, whether through sustainable production practices, carbon‑reduction initiatives, or innovative green technologies.
- **HR Hero Award** – honouring HR teams or individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, creativity, or impact in supporting staff wellbeing, talent development, or organisational culture. - **Training and Development Award** – highlighting firms that provide exceptional learning opportunities, mentorship programmes, or career‑progression pathways that empower employees to grow their skills. - **Education Award** – acknowledging contributions to educational outreach, partnerships with academic institutions, or programmes that inspire the next generation of game developers.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – rewarding businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive social impact, whether through charitable initiatives, community engagement, or ethical business practices. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on companies that prioritise the physical and mental health of their staff through innovative benefits, supportive policies, or workplace wellness programmes.
Nominations can be submitted by anyone with a legitimate interest in the company’s performance – internal staff, former employees, partners, suppliers or even external observers who have witnessed the organisation’s achievements. The inclusive nomination process ensures that a broad perspective is considered when judging each category. The judging panel, comprised of seasoned professionals from various facets of the gaming industry, will convene next week to assess the entries. Their evaluation will be based on the evidence provided in the nominations, such as concrete metrics, case studies, testimonials and any supporting documentation that demonstrates the impact of the nominee’s initiatives.
Winners will be celebrated at the awards ceremony on 1 October, an event that brings together industry leaders, HR practitioners and talent managers to recognise the best workplaces in gaming. In addition to the awards, there remains an opportunity to attend the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year centres on the future of People & Work. The summit will run during the day preceding the awards ceremony and will feature a programme of keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops designed to explore emerging trends in talent acquisition, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and the evolving role of HR in a rapidly changing industry. Seats are still available, and attendees will gain valuable insights while networking with peers and thought‑leaders.
To summarise, the extended deadline offers a final chance for companies to showcase their achievements in the specialised fields listed above. Whether your organisation has pioneered a groundbreaking sustainability programme, launched an innovative training curriculum, or championed diversity at every level, now is the time to submit a nomination. The expanded voting window ensures that deserving nominees have ample opportunity to be recognised for their contributions to making the games industry a better, more inclusive, and more responsible place to work. All interested parties are encouraged to prepare their submissions promptly, as the midnight deadline on 7 September approaches quickly.