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. While the primary award entries have already closed – those are judged solely on anonymised feedback from employees – we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards. These supplementary categories celebrate organisations that excel in particular aspects of workplace excellence, and we want to give as many companies as possible the chance to put their achievements forward.
The extended deadline means that nominations for the following special categories will be accepted up until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September. Unlike the core Best Places to Work (BPTW) awards, which focus on overall employee satisfaction, the Special Awards are stand‑alone recognitions.
They are open to any UK‑based business that operates within the games sector or provides services to it, and they aim to highlight best‑in‑class practices across a range of important themes. Here is a quick overview of each special category that is now open for submissions: - **The Diversity Award** – celebrates companies that have made measurable progress in building inclusive teams, promoting equity across gender, ethnicity, disability, and other dimensions of diversity.
- **The Green Award** – recognises firms that have implemented robust environmental sustainability programmes, reduced carbon footprints, or pioneered green initiatives within the gaming industry. - **HR Hero Award** – honours HR leaders or departments that have demonstrated innovative people‑management strategies, exceptional employee support, or crisis‑response capabilities. - **Training and Development Award** – highlights organisations that invest heavily in upskilling staff, offering comprehensive learning pathways, mentorship schemes, or cutting‑edge professional development resources.
- **Education Award** – acknowledges contributions to educational outreach, partnerships with academic institutions, or programmes that nurture the next generation of talent for games. - **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – rewards businesses that go beyond profit to make a positive social impact, whether through charitable work, community engagement, or ethical business practices.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focuses on initiatives that promote mental and physical health, work‑life balance, and overall employee well‑being in the often demanding gaming environment. Nominations can be submitted by anyone – internal staff members, external partners, suppliers, or even customers who have observed the nominee’s achievements. Each submission should include a clear description of the initiative, supporting evidence such as metrics, case studies, or testimonials, and an explanation of the impact on employees, the wider community, or the industry at large. The judging panel, composed of senior industry experts and independent consultants, will review all entries next week.
Their assessment will consider the originality of the initiative, the depth of its implementation, and the tangible results achieved. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October, a high‑profile event that brings together leaders from across the games ecosystem. In addition to the awards, we would like to remind you that tickets are still on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
This year’s summit, taking place on the day preceding the awards ceremony, will centre on the future of People & Work. It will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops that explore emerging trends such as remote‑first work models, mental‑health frameworks, diversity and inclusion strategies, and the evolving role of HR technology in gaming. Attendees will have the chance to network with peers, share best practices, and gain insights that can be directly applied to their own organisations. To summarise, the key points are: 1.
The nomination deadline for the Special Awards has been extended to midnight on Monday 7 September. 2. All UK‑based companies operating in or with the games industry are eligible.
3. Seven distinct categories are open for entry, each focusing on a different facet of workplace excellence. 4. Submissions can be made by internal or external parties and should be supported with concrete evidence.
5. Judging will occur next week, with winners revealed at the 1 October awards ceremony. 6.
The HR Summit tickets remain available, offering valuable content on the future of People & Work. If your organisation has launched a noteworthy diversity programme, implemented a groundbreaking sustainability plan, or introduced innovative health‑and‑well‑being measures, now is the perfect time to put those achievements in the spotlight. By entering the Special Awards, you not only gain recognition from your peers but also contribute to a broader conversation about what makes a great workplace in the dynamic world of video games.
We look forward to receiving your nominations and to celebrating the outstanding work being done across the industry. Should you have any questions about the submission process or need guidance on preparing your entry, please do not hesitate to contact the GamesIndustry.biz awards team.