With Gamescom now comfortably in the past, the editorial team at GamesIndustry.biz has turned its attention to the assessment phase of 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 prolong the nomination window for our Special Awards, which celebrate superior performance in particular domains of workplace excellence. The extended nomination period runs until 23:59 GMT on Monday, 7 September.
These Special Awards operate independently of the core Best Places To Work categories and are open to any UK‑based company that either operates within the games sector or provides services to it. Below is a detailed list of the individual awards that remain open for submissions: - **Diversity Award** – Recognising organisations that have made measurable progress in building inclusive, representative workforces and fostering a culture where every voice is heard.
- **Green Award** – Honouring firms that have implemented innovative, sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and set new standards for eco‑responsibility in the industry. - **HR Hero Award** – Celebrating human‑resources teams or leaders who have introduced groundbreaking policies, programs, or initiatives that significantly improve employee experience. - **Training and Development Award** – Acknowledging companies that invest heavily in upskilling their staff, offering robust learning pathways, mentorship schemes, and continuous professional growth opportunities. - **Education Award** – Highlighting partnerships with educational institutions, apprenticeship schemes, or internal academies that cultivate the next generation of talent for the games sector.
- **Corporate Social Responsibility Award** – Commending businesses that go beyond profit, contributing positively to society through charitable work, community engagement, or ethical business practices. - **Health and Well‑Being Award** – Recognising organisations that prioritize mental and physical health, providing resources, support systems, and a workplace environment that promotes overall well‑being. Nominations can be submitted by anyone with a stake in the company’s performance—whether internal staff members, former employees, partners, or external observers. This inclusive approach ensures that the awards reflect a broad perspective on each nominee’s impact.
Once the submission deadline closes, a panel of industry experts and seasoned HR professionals will evaluate the entries throughout the following week. Their assessments will inform the final selections, which will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 October. In addition to the awards, tickets remain on sale for the upcoming GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit. This year’s summit, titled “The Future of People & Work,” will take place during the day preceding the awards gala.
The program will feature thought‑leading speakers, interactive workshops, and panel discussions that explore emerging trends in talent acquisition, employee engagement, remote work strategies, and the evolving role of HR technology in the games industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers, share best practices, and gain actionable insights that can be applied directly to their organisations.
The decision to extend the Special Awards nomination period stems from feedback received during the initial call for entries. Many companies expressed a desire for additional time to compile comprehensive evidence of their initiatives, gather supporting testimonials, and ensure that their nominations accurately reflect the breadth of their achievements.
By granting an extra week, we aim to level the playing field and allow a wider array of deserving candidates to be considered. For those unfamiliar with the Special Awards, they serve a complementary purpose to the main Best Places To Work categories. While the headline awards focus on overall employee satisfaction and workplace culture as measured through confidential surveys, the Special Awards spotlight targeted areas of excellence. This dual‑track system provides a more nuanced picture of what makes a workplace truly outstanding, recognizing both holistic performance and specific strategic priorities.
To submit a nomination, simply visit the dedicated awards portal on the GamesIndustry.biz website, select the relevant category, and complete the online form. You will be asked to provide a concise description of the initiative, supporting data or metrics where available, and any relevant case studies or testimonials.
The portal also allows you to upload supplementary documents such as policy documents, sustainability reports, or training curricula to strengthen your submission. We encourage all eligible organisations—whether you are a large studio, an indie developer, a publishing house, a middleware provider, or a service‑focused company—to take advantage of this extended window. Recognising excellence not only celebrates current successes but also sets a benchmark for the wider industry, inspiring peers to adopt best practices and raise the overall standard of work environments within the games sector. Remember, the final awards ceremony on 1 October will bring together industry leaders, HR professionals, and award recipients for an evening of celebration and networking.
It will be an excellent occasion to showcase your achievements, learn from other innovators, and reinforce your commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace. If you have any questions about the nomination process, eligibility criteria, or the upcoming HR Summit, please contact the GamesIndustry.biz awards team via the contact details provided on the website. We look forward to receiving your nominations and to honoring the companies that are shaping the future of work in the games industry.