The GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit for 2026 has just released its full roster of speakers, sessions, and activities, offering a comprehensive look at the topics that will shape people management in the games sector over the coming year. Headlining the event are three distinguished keynote presenters: Sarah Venables, the founder of the HR Confidence Club, who will share her insights on resilient people leadership; Jonny Hopper, chief executive of Glowmade Studio, who will discuss how a strong workplace culture can become a competitive advantage; and the duo Harvey Elliott and Carmen Martino from Playstack, who will illustrate how to translate cultural initiatives into tangible business outcomes. The summit continues its partnership with Amiqus, which remains the principal sponsor for this year’s programme. Hosted at the historic Royal Institution in London on October 1, the summit is designed as a full‑day immersion for HR professionals, talent leaders, and senior managers working within game development and publishing companies.
More than a dozen presentations and workshops will explore a wide spectrum of people‑centric themes, ranging from neurodiversity and artificial intelligence to union engagement and the evolving expectations of modern game studios. Attendees can expect a balanced mix of strategic overviews, practical toolkits, and interactive discussions that aim to equip them with actionable knowledge for immediate implementation. The morning block is dedicated to the core challenges confronting people practitioners in the gaming industry.
Sessions will dive deep into the implications of emerging AI technologies for recruitment, performance management, and employee relations, while also outlining upcoming legislative changes that could affect contracts, data privacy, and workplace safety. A particular focus will be placed on the role of unions and employee voice, examining how collaborative relationships between management and organized labour can foster healthier, more productive environments. Throughout these talks, speakers will provide concrete case studies and step‑by‑step guidance to help attendees navigate the complexities of compliance, technology adoption, and stakeholder communication. After a brief intermission, the afternoon programme shifts its emphasis toward leadership effectiveness and the strategic alignment of people initiatives with broader business goals.
Jonny Hopper will argue that culture is not merely a feel‑good concept but a measurable driver of revenue, talent retention, and brand reputation. Harvey Elliott and Carmen Martino will follow with a practical session on turning cultural aspirations into quantifiable business impact, illustrating how metrics, feedback loops, and cross‑functional collaboration can turn abstract values into competitive advantage. Additional talks will explore how to balance employee expectations—such as flexibility, transparency, and meaningful work—with the commercial realities that studios face, especially in a post‑pandemic market marked by rapid growth and frequent restructuring. Both the morning and afternoon tracks conclude with breakout sessions conducted under Chatham House rules.
These smaller, facilitated round‑tables give participants the opportunity to share experiences, pose questions, and brainstorm solutions in a confidential setting. Topics for these deep‑dive discussions include managing performance during periods of turbulence, mapping out skill pathways to address talent shortages, and confronting the ethical and practical dimensions of AI in both HR processes and broader business operations. By keeping the dialogue private, the organizers encourage candid conversation and the exchange of best practices that might otherwise remain undisclosed. The summit will close with the 2026 Best Places to Work Awards, a ceremony that recognises excellence across companies of varying sizes—from indie studios to large multinational publishers.
Awards will be presented in categories such as Small, Medium, and Large Enterprise, as well as special recognitions for achievements in Education, Diversity, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Sponsors for the awards include Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London, and Special Effect, underscoring the industry’s collective commitment to fostering inclusive and forward‑thinking workplaces.
A detailed agenda is provided below, offering a snapshot of the day’s flow: 08:30 – Registration (tea, coffee, and networking) 09:00 – Opening remarks and welcome 09:15 – "The Future of People Leadership – Resilience, Complexity, Changing Expectations" – Sarah Venables (HR Confidence Club) 09:45 – "Becoming the Critical Friend – How HR earns influence and becomes a strategic business partner" – Niki Head (Stellar Entertainment) 10:15 – "Unions, Employee Voice and the Future of Games Workplaces" 11:00 – Coffee break 11:20 – "Managing Neurodiversity in the Workplace – Practical approaches to supporting performance and enabling managers to lead neurodiverse teams" 12:05 – "AI in Employment Relations – Guidance for handling AI‑generated evidence and employee‑relations challenges" 12:45 – Lunch 13:30 – "People as a Competitive Advantage – How workplace culture drives organisational success" – Jonny Hopper (Glowmade Studio) 14:00 – "People Strategy in Practice – Turning culture into business impact" – Harvey Elliott & Carmen Martino (Playstack) 14:30 – "Employee Expectations vs Business Reality – Balancing flexibility, transparency, and experience with commercial imperatives" 15:15 – "The Skills Challenge – Building, retaining, and developing the capabilities games businesses will need next" 15:45 – "Performance in a People‑First Workplace – Creating accountability while fostering supportive environments" 16:15 – "Culture Through Change – Maintaining trust, engagement, and performance during transformation" 16:45 – "What Makes a Great Games Workplace in 2027? – Identifying three bold actions for the next two years" 17:15 – Drinks and networking 17:30 – Best Places to Work Awards ceremony 18:30 – Evening drinks and final networking 19:00 – Close of event Tickets for the full day are currently on sale, and interested participants are encouraged to secure their place early, as capacity is limited.
The summit promises to deliver a blend of thought‑leadership, practical tools, and peer learning that will help HR teams and senior leaders navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of the games industry while fostering workplaces where talent can thrive.