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 primary award categories have already closed their entry windows and will be judged on the basis of anonymised employee surveys, we have decided to lengthen the nomination period for the Special Awards.
These supplementary honours are designed to spotlight organisations that demonstrate exceptional performance in particular domains that matter to the games sector. From now until 00:00 GMT on Monday, 7 September, anyone can put forward a candidate for any of the following Special Award categories. Unlike the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) awards, these recognitions are open to every UK‑based company that operates within, or supplies services to, the games industry, regardless of size or market focus. The list of categories includes: - **The Diversity Award** – celebrating companies that have made measurable strides in fostering inclusive workplaces and promoting diverse talent across all levels.
- **The Green Award** – honouring firms that have implemented innovative, sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and set new standards for eco‑responsibility within the sector. - **HR Hero Award** – acknowledging HR professionals or teams whose strategic initiatives have dramatically improved employee engagement, retention, or organisational culture.
- **Training and Development Award** – recognising organisations that invest heavily in upskilling their staff, providing robust learning pathways, mentorship schemes, and continuous professional development opportunities. - **Education Award** – rewarding companies that collaborate with educational institutions, support curricula, or create programmes that inspire the next generation of game developers. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – highlighting businesses that go beyond profit motives to give back to communities, support charitable causes, or embed ethical considerations into their core operations.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – applauding employers who prioritise mental and physical health, offering comprehensive wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and resources that support a balanced lifestyle. Nominations may be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s practices – internal staff, former employees, partners, suppliers, or even customers are all welcome to contribute. Each submission should include concrete examples, quantitative data where possible, and a clear explanation of why the nominee deserves recognition in the chosen category.
All entries will be reviewed by an independent panel of industry experts and academics, who will assess the material against predefined criteria for impact, innovation, and replicability. The judging phase is scheduled to take place next week, with the final decisions being announced at the awards ceremony on 1 October. Winners will receive a bespoke trophy, prominent coverage on GamesIndustry.biz, and the opportunity to showcase their achievements to a broad audience of peers, investors, and media representatives. In addition to the awards, we would like to remind readers that tickets are still on sale for the upcoming GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
This year’s summit, themed “The Future of People & Work,” will run on the morning of 1 October, directly preceding the awards ceremony. The programme features thought‑leading speakers, interactive workshops, and panel discussions that explore emerging trends in talent acquisition, employee experience, remote collaboration, and the evolving role of HR technology in the games industry.
Attendees will gain actionable insights that can help them shape more resilient, inclusive, and forward‑thinking workplaces. Whether you are a small indie studio looking to highlight a groundbreaking diversity initiative, a large publisher that has reduced its carbon footprint through cutting‑edge sustainability measures, or a training provider that has built a pipeline of skilled talent for the sector, the Special Awards offer a platform to celebrate those achievements.
By extending the nomination deadline, we hope to give more organisations the chance to be recognised for the hard work they are doing behind the scenes. To submit a nomination, visit the dedicated awards portal on the GamesIndustry.biz website, fill out the online form, and attach any supporting documentation. Remember, the deadline is midnight on Monday, 7 September, so act now to ensure your nominee is considered.
We look forward to receiving a diverse array of submissions that reflect the vibrant, innovative, and socially responsible spirit of the UK games industry.