With Gamescom now safely 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 deadline for the primary awards—those judged on anonymised employee surveys—has already passed, we have decided to prolong the nomination window for the Special Awards, which celebrate exceptional performance in particular domains. The new cut‑off for submitting nominations in the following categories is midnight on Monday, 7 September. These special recognitions operate independently of the core Best Places To Work (BPTW) categories and are open to any UK‑based organisation that operates within or alongside the games sector.
- Diversity Award - Green Award - HR Hero Award - Training and Development Award - Education Award - Corporate Social Responsibility Award - Health and Well‑Being Award Both internal stakeholders—such as employees, managers or board members—and external parties—including partners, suppliers or industry observers—are welcome to put forward candidates for consideration. After the nomination period closes, a panel of judges will review all submissions next week, with the final decisions announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October.
Why extend the deadline? The Special Awards are designed to shine a spotlight on initiatives that often fall outside the scope of standard employee‑satisfaction metrics. For instance, the Diversity Award looks for concrete actions that promote inclusive hiring practices, equitable career progression and a workplace culture where every voice is valued. The Green Award rewards organisations that have implemented measurable sustainability programmes, reduced carbon footprints, or pioneered eco‑friendly production methods.
The HR Hero Award celebrates individuals or teams who have gone above and beyond to support staff, whether through innovative policies, crisis management or exceptional mentorship. Similarly, the Training and Development Award seeks to honour companies that invest heavily in upskilling their workforce, offering robust learning pathways, mentorship schemes and continuous professional development opportunities. The Education Award acknowledges partnerships with academic institutions, apprenticeship schemes, or community outreach that help nurture the next generation of game‑making talent. The Corporate Social Responsibility Award highlights broader societal contributions, such as charitable initiatives, community engagement projects or ethical business practices.
Finally, the Health and Well‑Being Award focuses on programmes that safeguard mental and physical health, including wellness benefits, flexible working arrangements and supportive mental‑health resources. Nomination forms are straightforward and can be accessed through the GamesIndustry.biz website.
Provide clear evidence of the nominee’s achievements, such as quantitative results, testimonials, case studies or any relevant documentation that illustrates impact. The more concrete and detailed the submission, the easier it will be for the judging panel to assess the merit of each entry. In addition to the awards, tickets remain available for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which this year will centre on the future of People & Work within the gaming industry.
The summit will take place during the day preceding the awards ceremony, offering a full programme of keynote speeches, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Attendees will gain insights into emerging trends in talent acquisition, employee well‑being, diversity and inclusion, and the evolving role of HR technology in a rapidly changing market. Whether you are a small indie studio or a large multinational publisher, the Special Awards provide a valuable platform to showcase the initiatives that set your organisation apart. By recognising excellence in these targeted areas, the awards aim to inspire other companies to adopt best practices, drive industry‑wide improvement and ultimately create a more inclusive, sustainable and supportive environment for everyone involved in game development.
If you have not yet submitted a nomination, now is the perfect time to do so. Remember, the deadline is midnight on 7 September, and all entries will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry experts next week. The winners will be announced at the ceremony on 1 October, where they will join the main Best Places To Work laureates in celebrating the very best of workplace culture in the UK games sector.
For further information, guidelines on how to nominate, or to purchase a pass for the HR Summit, please visit the GamesIndustry.biz awards page or contact the awards team directly. We look forward to receiving your submissions and to celebrating the outstanding contributions that make the gaming industry a better place to work.