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 flagship awards—those judged on the basis of anonymised employee surveys—has already passed, we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards. These supplementary categories celebrate organisations that demonstrate particular excellence in distinct areas of people‑management and corporate responsibility. The extended nomination period runs until 23:59 GMT on Monday 7 September.
Unlike the core Best Places to Work categories, the Special Awards are open to any UK‑based company that operates within the games sector or provides services to it. This inclusive approach ensures that a broad spectrum of businesses—ranging from indie studios to large publishers, from technology providers to consultancy firms—can be recognised for their contributions in niche but vital fields. The seven Special Awards currently on offer are: - **The Diversity Award** – honouring firms that have implemented robust strategies to foster an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds feel valued and can thrive.
- **The Green Award** – acknowledging organisations that have taken concrete steps to reduce their environmental footprint, whether through sustainable office practices, carbon‑offset programmes, or eco‑friendly production pipelines. - **HR Hero Award** – celebrating human‑resources teams that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, or resilience in supporting staff throughout challenging periods. - **Training and Development Award** – recognising companies that invest heavily in upskilling their workforce, offering comprehensive learning pathways, mentorship schemes, and continuous professional development opportunities. - **Education Award** – rewarding entities that contribute to the broader educational ecosystem, such as partnerships with schools, scholarships, apprenticeships, or community outreach programmes that inspire the next generation of game creators.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – highlighting businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive impact on society, whether through charitable initiatives, ethical sourcing, or community engagement projects. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on organisations that prioritise the mental and physical health of their employees, providing resources such as wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive workplace cultures.
Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominated company’s practices—this includes internal staff, former employees, partners, suppliers, or even external observers who have witnessed the company’s achievements first‑hand. Each submission should include a concise summary of why the nominee deserves the award, supported by concrete examples, metrics, or testimonials where possible.
The judging panel, composed of senior HR professionals, industry veterans, and independent consultants, will review all entries next week. Their assessment will consider the depth of impact, innovation, and sustainability of the initiatives described. Winners will be announced during the Best Places to Work Awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, an event that brings together leaders from across the games industry to celebrate workplace excellence.
In addition to the awards, the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit will take place on the same day, just before the ceremony. This year’s summit theme—"The Future of People & Work"—will explore emerging trends such as hybrid working models, mental‑health support frameworks, diversity and inclusion strategies, and the evolving role of HR technology in the gaming sector. Attendees will have the chance to hear from thought‑leaders, participate in interactive workshops, and network with peers who are shaping the next generation of workplace culture. Tickets for the HR Summit remain on sale, and we encourage anyone interested in deep‑diving into people‑focused topics to secure a seat.
The summit not only offers valuable insights but also provides a platform for nominees to showcase their initiatives to a wider audience, potentially strengthening their case for the Special Awards. To summarise, if your organisation has made notable strides in any of the seven focus areas—whether you’ve launched a groundbreaking diversity programme, achieved measurable reductions in carbon emissions, or introduced innovative health‑and‑well‑being benefits—now is the time to put that work forward. The extended deadline gives you a few extra days to craft a compelling nomination that reflects the real impact of your efforts.
Remember, the Special Awards are distinct from the main Best Places to Work categories; they are designed to shine a spotlight on targeted achievements that might otherwise be overlooked in a broader assessment. By participating, you not only gain recognition for your hard work but also contribute to a culture of shared best practices across the UK games industry. We look forward to receiving your nominations and to celebrating the organisations that are leading the way in creating better, more sustainable, and more inclusive workplaces for everyone involved in making games.