With Gamescom now a memory, 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 deadline for the flagship awards—those judged on anonymised employee surveys—has already passed, we have decided to lengthen the nomination window for our Special Awards, which celebrate excellence in particular domains of workplace practice. The revised cut‑off for submitting entries to the following special categories is midnight on Monday, 7 September.
These awards operate independently of the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) categories and are open to any UK‑based organisation that works within, or alongside, the video‑games sector. The special categories up for nomination are: - The Diversity Award – honouring companies that have made measurable strides in fostering inclusive cultures and diverse talent pipelines. - The Green Award – recognising firms that have implemented robust environmental‑sustainability initiatives, reduced carbon footprints, or pioneered eco‑friendly production methods. - HR Hero Award – celebrating human‑resources professionals who have delivered innovative, people‑centric solutions that improve employee experience.
- Training and Development Award – acknowledging organisations that invest heavily in up‑skilling, mentorship programmes, and continuous learning pathways for their staff. - Education Award – highlighting partnerships with academic institutions, apprenticeship schemes, or other educational outreach that cultivates the next generation of game‑industry talent. - Corporate Social Responsibility Award – rewarding businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical practices, community engagement, and social impact beyond profit motives. - Health and Well‑Being Award – focusing on initiatives that support mental health, physical wellness, work‑life balance, and overall employee wellbeing.
Nominations may be submitted by anyone with insight into the nominee’s practices—whether that be internal employees, external partners, suppliers, or even customers. Once the nomination period closes, a panel of industry experts will review the submissions throughout the following week, with winners announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. In addition to the awards, tickets remain on sale for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year centres on the evolving landscape of People & Work. The summit will run during the day preceding the awards ceremony, offering a full agenda of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to equip HR leaders with the tools and insights needed to navigate the future of work in the games industry.
Why the extension matters Extending the nomination deadline reflects our commitment to inclusivity and thoroughness. Many organisations need additional time to compile evidence of their achievements, especially for categories that require detailed documentation such as sustainability metrics or diversity statistics. By giving companies an extra few days, we aim to capture a broader, more representative slice of the industry’s best practices.
How to nominate The nomination process is straightforward. Visit the Best Places To Work Awards portal, select the relevant special category, and fill out the online form.
You will be asked to provide a concise description of the initiative, supporting data or case studies, and any relevant testimonials. While there is no fee to enter, we encourage nominators to be as detailed as possible; robust submissions enable our judges to make well‑informed decisions. Eligibility criteria To be eligible, a company must be headquartered in the United Kingdom and have a demonstrable connection to the games sector—whether as a developer, publisher, service provider, technology supplier, or support organisation. The awards are open to both large enterprises and smaller studios, as long as they can substantiate their claims with verifiable evidence.
Judging methodology Our judging panel comprises senior HR professionals, sustainability consultants, diversity advocates, and veteran industry veterans. Each submission will be evaluated against a set of predefined criteria tailored to the specific award. For example, the Green Award will consider carbon reduction targets, renewable energy usage, and waste‑management practices, whereas the Diversity Award will assess representation metrics, inclusive hiring practices, and employee resource group effectiveness.
What winners receive Award recipients will be celebrated at the high‑profile ceremony on 1 October, where they will receive a trophy, a feature article on GamesIndustry.biz, and promotional exposure across our partner networks. In addition, winners gain a valuable endorsement that can be leveraged in recruitment campaigns, investor relations, and brand positioning.
Final thoughts The Best Places To Work Awards aim to spotlight the organisations that are not only delivering great games but also cultivating workplaces where people can thrive. By extending the nomination period for the special categories, we hope to recognise even more innovative initiatives that set new standards for the industry. Whether your company excels in sustainability, diversity, employee health, or any other area highlighted above, we encourage you to submit your nomination before the midnight deadline on 7 September. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your achievements, connect with peers at the HR Summit, and celebrate the best of the games industry’s workplace culture on 1 October.