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 deadline for the flagship awards—those judged solely on anonymous employee surveys—has already passed, we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for the Special Awards. These supplemental categories spotlight companies that excel in particular aspects of workplace excellence, and we want to give every eligible organisation ample time to put forward their strongest candidates.
From now until 00:00 GMT on Monday 7 September, nominations will be accepted for the following special recognitions. Unlike the core Best Places To Work categories, these awards are open to any UK‑based business that operates within the games sector or provides services to it. Whether you are a large publisher, an indie studio, a middleware provider, or a support service firm, you can put your name forward for any of the awards listed below: - **The Diversity Award** – celebrating companies that have demonstrably advanced inclusive hiring practices, foster a culture where varied perspectives thrive, and have measurable outcomes in gender, ethnicity, disability, and other dimensions of diversity. - **The Green Award** – honouring organisations that have taken concrete steps to reduce their environmental footprint, such as adopting renewable energy, minimising waste, implementing sustainable procurement, or pioneering eco‑friendly production pipelines.
- **HR Hero Award** – recognising individuals or teams within HR who have introduced innovative policies, championed employee advocacy, or delivered programmes that markedly improve staff satisfaction and retention. - **Training and Development Award** – acknowledging firms that invest heavily in upskilling their workforce through mentorship schemes, formal education partnerships, in‑house academies, or continuous learning platforms. - **Education Award** – rewarding businesses that collaborate with academic institutions, support curricula development, offer apprenticeships, or otherwise contribute to nurturing the next generation of talent for the games industry. - **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – highlighting companies that go beyond profit motives to make a positive impact on society, whether through charitable initiatives, community outreach, ethical sourcing, or responsible business practices.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – focusing on organisations that prioritise mental and physical health, provide robust wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and resources that help employees maintain a healthy work‑life balance. Nominations can be submitted by anyone—internal staff members, external partners, clients, or even former employees—provided they can supply evidence or examples that support the claim of excellence in the chosen category. All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of independent judges with expertise in human resources, sustainability, corporate governance, and industry best practices.
The judging phase is scheduled for the week following the nomination deadline, and the results will be announced during the awards ceremony on 1 October. In addition to the awards themselves, we would like to remind you that tickets are still on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which will take place on the morning of the awards ceremony.
This year’s summit is themed “The Future of People & Work,” and it will bring together senior HR leaders, talent managers, and thought‑provoking speakers to discuss emerging trends such as hybrid work models, diversity and inclusion strategies, mental‑health support, and the evolving role of HR technology in the games sector. Attendees will have the chance to network, share case studies, and gain actionable insights that can be applied directly within their own organisations.
To submit a nomination, simply visit the dedicated awards portal on the GamesIndustry.biz website, select the relevant special category, and complete the online form. You will be asked to provide a brief overview of the initiative, supporting data or metrics, and any testimonials or case studies that illustrate the impact of the programme.
While we encourage concise entries, feel free to attach supplementary documents if they add depth to your submission. We understand that many companies are still finalising sustainability reports, rolling out new training curricula, or refining their diversity dashboards, which is why we have extended the deadline. This extra time ensures that every deserving nominee can present a complete and compelling case for recognition.
Whether you are proud of a groundbreaking carbon‑reduction project, a comprehensive mentorship network, or a pioneering health‑and‑wellness framework, we want to hear about it. Remember, the Best Places To Work Awards are not just a celebration of individual achievements; they serve as a benchmark for the entire industry, encouraging organisations to raise their standards and share best practices. By participating in the Special Awards, you contribute to a broader conversation about what it means to be a responsible, innovative, and people‑focused employer in the dynamic world of games.
If you have any questions about the nomination process, eligibility criteria, or the upcoming HR Summit, please contact the awards team at awards@gamesindustry.biz. We look forward to receiving your submissions and to honoring the companies that are shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and employee‑centric future for the games industry.