With Gamescom now safely in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its full attention to evaluating the submissions for this year’s Best Places To Work (BPTW) Awards. While the deadline for the headline categories – those judged on the basis of anonymous employee surveys – has already passed, we have decided to keep the window open a little longer for the Special Awards.
These supplementary categories are designed to honour companies that demonstrate particular excellence in distinct aspects of workplace practice, such as diversity, environmental stewardship, employee development and corporate responsibility. The extended nomination period runs until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September.
Unlike the core BPTW awards, which are limited to a shortlist of companies selected by the internal judging panel, the Special Awards are open to any UK‑based organisation that operates within or alongside the games sector. Whether you are a large publisher, an indie studio, a support service provider or a consultancy that works with game developers, you are eligible to put forward a nomination for any of the following seven categories: - **Diversity Award** – Celebrating organisations that have implemented robust policies and initiatives to foster an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities. - **Green Award** – Recognising firms that have taken concrete steps to reduce their environmental impact, whether through sustainable office practices, carbon‑offset programmes, or innovative green technologies. - **HR Hero Award** – Honouring HR professionals or teams that have gone above and beyond to support staff, champion employee wellbeing, and drive strategic people initiatives.
- **Training and Development Award** – Highlighting companies that invest heavily in upskilling their workforce, providing continuous learning opportunities, mentorship schemes, and clear career pathways. - **Education Award** – Acknowledging organisations that contribute to the broader educational landscape, such as partnerships with schools, universities, or community programmes that nurture future talent for the games industry. - **Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award** – Rewarding businesses that demonstrate a genuine commitment to giving back to society, whether through charitable work, community engagement, or ethical business practices.
- **Health and Well‑Being Award** – Focusing on firms that prioritize the physical and mental health of their employees, offering comprehensive wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and supportive workplace cultures. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with a genuine insight into the nominated company’s practices – this includes internal staff members, former employees, partners, suppliers or even external observers who have witnessed the organisation’s achievements first‑hand. Each nomination should include a concise description of why the nominee deserves the award, supported by concrete examples, metrics or testimonials wherever possible.
All submissions will be reviewed by an independent panel of industry experts next week, with the final decisions announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. In addition to the awards, 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 will feature a lineup of thought‑leaders, case‑study presentations and interactive workshops that explore emerging trends in talent acquisition, employee experience, diversity and inclusion, and the evolving role of HR technology in the games sector. Attendees will have the chance to network with peers, share best practices 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 appropriate category, and fill in the required fields. Remember, the deadline is strict – nominations received after midnight on 7 September will not be considered.
If you have any questions about the eligibility criteria, the nomination process, or the upcoming HR Summit, please reach out to the awards team via the contact information provided on the portal. We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the companies that are pushing the boundaries of what a great workplace can look like in the games industry. Whether you are nominating a colleague, a partner organisation, or an industry leader you admire, your input helps shine a light on the best practices that drive a healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable sector for everyone involved.