With Gamescom now safely in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the next phase of the Best Places To Work Awards – the assessment of this year’s submissions. While the primary awards, which rely on confidential employee surveys, have already closed their entry window, we have decided to keep the door open a little longer for the Special Awards.
These supplementary categories celebrate outstanding performance in particular disciplines and are designed to highlight organisations that go above and beyond in areas such as diversity, environmental stewardship, talent development and corporate responsibility. The extended nomination period runs until the stroke of midnight on Monday, 7 September.
During this window, any UK‑based company that operates within the games sector—or works closely with it—may put forward a candidate for one of the following special recognitions: - **The Diversity Award** – honouring firms that have demonstrably advanced inclusive hiring practices, fostered a culture where varied perspectives thrive, and implemented measurable initiatives that break down barriers for under‑represented groups. - **The Green Award** – celebrating businesses that have taken concrete steps to reduce their ecological footprint, whether through sustainable office design, carbon‑neutral production pipelines, or innovative recycling programmes. - **HR Hero Award** – acknowledging HR professionals or teams whose strategic interventions have markedly improved employee engagement, retention, or overall workplace morale. - **Training and Development Award** – recognising organisations that invest heavily in up‑skilling their staff, offering robust learning pathways, mentorship schemes, and continuous professional development opportunities.
- **Education Award** – rewarding companies that contribute to educational outreach, partner with academic institutions, or create learning resources that nurture the next generation of game creators. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – highlighting enterprises that demonstrate a strong commitment to societal impact, community involvement, charitable activities, and ethical business conduct. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – applauding firms that prioritise mental and physical health through comprehensive wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive workplace policies. Nominations may be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s achievements—whether that be an internal employee, a former colleague, a partner organisation, or an external observer.
This inclusive approach ensures that the most deserving candidates are brought to the fore, regardless of who initiates the nomination. Once the deadline passes, a panel of industry experts will convene next week to evaluate the entries against a set of transparent criteria. The judging process will be swift but thorough, with the final selections announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October.
In addition to the awards, the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit remains open for registration. This year’s summit, positioned as a forward‑looking forum on the future of People & Work, will take place on the day preceding the awards ceremony. Attendees will have the chance to hear from leading HR practitioners, engage in interactive workshops, and explore emerging trends that are reshaping talent management in the games industry. Topics on the agenda include remote‑first work models, diversity and inclusion strategies, mental health support frameworks, and the integration of AI tools into recruitment and performance evaluation.
The extension of the nomination deadline reflects our commitment to recognising a broad spectrum of excellence within the gaming ecosystem. By providing extra time, we hope to capture stories that might otherwise go unnoticed, especially from smaller studios or niche developers who are making significant strides in these specialised areas. Whether your organisation has pioneered a groundbreaking sustainability initiative, cultivated an award‑winning learning environment, or championed inclusive workplace policies, we encourage you to submit a nomination and share your success with the wider community.
To submit a nomination, simply visit the Best Places To Work Awards portal, fill out the brief questionnaire for the relevant category, and attach any supporting evidence that illustrates the impact of the programme or initiative you are highlighting. Documentation such as employee testimonials, statistical outcomes, case studies, or third‑party recognitions can strengthen your entry and provide the judges with a clear picture of the nominee’s achievements. Remember, the deadline is firm: midnight on Monday, 7 September. After that point, no further submissions will be accepted, and the judging panel will move forward with the pool of entries they have received.
The awards ceremony on 1 October will not only celebrate the winners of the headline categories but also shine a spotlight on those who have excelled in these critical, specialised fields. If you have any questions about the nomination process, the criteria for each award, or the upcoming HR Summit, please do not hesitate to reach out to the GamesIndustry.biz team.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and to celebrating the remarkable contributions that make the games industry a better place to work for everyone.