With Gamescom now a memory, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the evaluation process for this year’s Best Places To Work (BPTW) Awards. While the primary award categories have already closed their entry windows and will be assessed using anonymised feedback from employees, we have decided to prolong the nomination period for the Special Awards. These supplemental categories celebrate outstanding performance in particular aspects of workplace excellence and are open to any UK‑based company that operates within or alongside the games sector.
The new deadline for submitting nominations to the Special Awards is midnight on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the core BPTW categories, which focus on overall employee satisfaction, the Special Awards spotlight distinct initiatives and programmes that set companies apart in areas such as diversity, sustainability, talent development and corporate responsibility. All eligible organisations are encouraged to put forward their strongest candidates, whether the nomination comes from an internal stakeholder—such as a manager or employee—or from an external observer familiar with the company’s work. Below is a rundown of the seven Special Award categories that are currently accepting entries: 1.
**The Diversity Award** – Recognises a company that has implemented robust policies, programmes, and cultural practices to promote inclusion and representation across gender, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation and other dimensions of diversity. 2. **The Green Award** – Celebrates an organisation that has taken measurable steps to reduce its environmental footprint, whether through sustainable production methods, carbon‑reduction targets, waste‑minimisation strategies or green‑focused corporate initiatives. 3.
**HR Hero Award** – Highlights an individual or team within HR who has delivered exceptional support, innovative solutions or transformative projects that have markedly improved the employee experience. 4. **Training and Development Award** – Acknowledges a business that offers comprehensive learning pathways, mentorship schemes, up‑skilling programmes or other educational resources that empower staff to grow professionally within the games industry. 5.
**Education Award** – Honors an entity that contributes significantly to formal or informal education related to games—be it through partnerships with academic institutions, scholarship programmes, community outreach or curriculum development. 6. **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – Recognises a firm that demonstrates a genuine commitment to societal impact, whether through charitable initiatives, community engagement, ethical sourcing or other socially responsible practices.
7. **Health and Well‑Being Award** – Rewards a company that prioritises the mental, physical and emotional health of its workforce, offering benefits, wellness programmes, mental‑health support and a culture that encourages work‑life balance.
All nominations will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts next week, with the results announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. The judging process will consider the depth of each initiative, its measurable outcomes, and the extent to which it aligns with best practices in the respective field.
In addition to the awards, tickets remain available for the upcoming GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which will take place on the day preceding the ceremony. This year’s summit is themed “The Future of People & Work” and will feature thought‑leaders, panel discussions and workshops that explore emerging trends in talent management, organisational culture, remote‑working strategies, and the evolving role of HR in a rapidly changing industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers, share insights and gain practical takeaways that can be applied within their own organisations. For companies that have already submitted a nomination, this extension provides a valuable window to gather any additional supporting evidence, such as case studies, employee testimonials or quantitative data that strengthen the submission.
For those who have not yet entered, the extended deadline offers a final chance to showcase the innovative work being done across the UK games ecosystem. To submit a nomination, simply visit the Best Places To Work Awards portal, select the appropriate Special Award category, and complete the required fields. Detailed guidelines are provided for each award, outlining the criteria that judges will use to assess entries. Whether you are nominating a colleague, a department, or the entire organisation, make sure to highlight specific achievements, the impact on staff and the broader community, and any awards or recognitions the initiative has already received.
Remember, the Special Awards are an excellent platform to gain industry‑wide recognition for initiatives that might otherwise remain under the radar. They also serve as a benchmark for other companies aiming to elevate their own standards in these critical areas. By participating, you not only celebrate your own successes but also contribute to a culture of continuous improvement throughout the games sector.
If you have any questions about the nomination process, eligibility requirements, or the upcoming HR Summit, please contact the GamesIndustry.biz awards team via the contact details provided on the awards website. We look forward to receiving your submissions and to celebrating the remarkable work being done across the industry.