With Gamescom now firmly in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its full attention to the evaluation process for this year’s Best Places To Work Awards. While the primary award categories have already closed for submissions—these being assessed on the basis of anonymised employee feedback—we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards. These particular accolades celebrate outstanding performance in distinct sectors of the games industry and are designed to highlight best‑practice initiatives that go beyond general workplace satisfaction.
The extended deadline now runs until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September, giving organisations an additional week to put forward their candidates. It is important to note that the Special Awards operate independently of the core Best Places to Work (BPTW) categories. They are open to any UK‑based company that either works directly 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 educational providers to sustainability consultants—can be recognised for their contributions. The categories currently accepting nominations are as follows: - **The Diversity Award** – honouring companies that have demonstrated a measurable commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, including initiatives that improve representation across gender, ethnicity, neurodiversity, and other dimensions. - **The Green Award** – recognising organisations that have implemented effective environmental sustainability practices, such as reducing carbon footprints, adopting renewable energy sources, or promoting eco‑friendly production methods. - **HR Hero Award** – celebrating human‑resources teams or individuals who have delivered innovative people‑management solutions, improved employee engagement, or navigated complex workforce challenges with exceptional skill.
- **Training and Development Award** – acknowledging businesses that invest heavily in upskilling their staff, providing robust professional development programmes, mentorship schemes, or continuous learning opportunities. - **Education Award** – rewarding entities that contribute to the education pipeline for the games industry, whether through partnerships with schools, university curricula, apprenticeships, or community outreach programmes. - **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – highlighting companies that go beyond profit motives to make a positive impact on society, through charitable work, ethical sourcing, community involvement, or other socially responsible actions.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on organisations that prioritise the physical and mental health of their employees, offering comprehensive wellness programmes, mental‑health support, flexible working arrangements, and a culture that promotes work‑life balance. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s achievements—this includes internal staff members, external partners, clients, or even industry observers.
The flexibility in who can nominate helps ensure that the most deserving candidates are highlighted, even if they are not nominated by their own employees. Once the nomination period closes, a panel of expert judges will review all submissions throughout the following week.
Their assessment will consider the tangible outcomes of each programme, the sustainability of the initiatives, and the overall impact on both the workforce and the wider community. The results will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, where winners will be celebrated alongside their peers.
In addition to the awards, there remains an opportunity to attend the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year’s theme is "The Future of People & Work". The summit will take place on the morning of the awards ceremony and will feature a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops aimed at exploring emerging trends in talent acquisition, employee retention, workplace culture, and the evolving role of HR in the fast‑moving games sector.
Tickets are still available for purchase, offering attendees a chance to network with industry leaders, share best practices, and gain insights that can be applied within their own organisations. If your company has undertaken notable initiatives in any of the listed categories, now is the perfect time to submit a nomination.
By participating, you not only stand a chance of receiving well‑deserved recognition but also contribute to a broader conversation about what makes a workplace truly exemplary in the games industry. Whether your focus is on cultivating a diverse talent pool, reducing environmental impact, enhancing employee well‑being, or delivering high‑quality training, the Special Awards provide a platform to showcase these achievements to a wide audience. To nominate, simply visit the official Best Places to Work Awards website, complete the online submission form, and provide any supporting documentation or evidence that illustrates the nominee’s impact.
Detailed guidelines for each category are available on the site to help you craft a compelling entry. Remember, the deadline is midnight on Monday, 7 September—so act now to ensure your organisation’s hard work is recognised among the industry’s finest. We look forward to reading your submissions and celebrating the exceptional contributions that are shaping the future of work in games.