The GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit for 2026 has just released its full programme, showcasing an impressive line‑up of speakers and sessions that will explore the most pressing people‑related challenges facing the games sector today. Headlining the event are 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 culture can become a competitive edge; and the duo Harvey Elliott and Carmen Martino from Playstack, who will illustrate how a well‑crafted people strategy can translate directly into business impact. The summit continues its partnership with Amiqus, which returns as the principal sponsor.
Set against the historic backdrop of The Royal Institution in London, the summit runs for a single, intensive day on October 1. Attendees can expect more than a dozen presentations, workshops, and round‑table discussions that delve into topics such as neurodiversity, artificial intelligence in human resources, workplace culture, and the evolving role of unions within game development studios. The agenda is split into two main blocks: a morning segment that concentrates on the immediate concerns of HR professionals—ranging from AI‑driven compliance to upcoming legislative shifts—and an afternoon segment that looks at strategic leadership, people‑first business models, and the skills and structures needed to navigate the post‑disruption landscape of the industry.
Each of the two stage sessions is followed by breakout workshops conducted under Chatham House rules, allowing participants to speak openly and share best practices. Facilitated round‑tables will cover a range of practical subjects, including how to manage performance during periods of financial turbulence, designing clear career pathways for emerging talent, and addressing the rapid rise of AI both as a tool for HR processes and as a broader business catalyst. These smaller sessions are intended to foster peer‑to‑peer learning and give attendees actionable take‑aways they can implement in their own organisations.
The day concludes with the 2026 Best Places to Work Awards, a ceremony that recognises excellence across companies of all sizes—from boutique studios to large multinational publishers. Awards categories span overall workplace quality as well as specialised recognitions for education initiatives, diversity and inclusion efforts, and corporate social responsibility programmes. The awards are supported by a coalition of sponsors that includes Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London, and Special Effect.
Tickets for the full day, which include access to all sessions, networking breaks, and the awards ceremony, are available through the event’s registration portal. Below is the detailed timetable for the summit: 08:30 – Registration (tea, coffee, and light refreshments) 09:00 – Opening remarks and welcome to the HR Summit 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 – Panel discussion: Unions, Employee Voice, and the Future of Games Workplaces 11:00 – Short coffee break 11:20 – "Managing Neurodiversity in the Workplace – Practical Approaches to Supporting Performance, Making Adjustments, and Helping Managers Lead Neurodiverse Teams" 12:05 – "AI in Employment Relations – Guidance for Handling AI‑Generated Evidence, Cases, and Employee Relations Challenges" 12:45 – Lunch (catered buffet with networking opportunities) 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 and 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 the Games Industry Will Need Next" 15:45 – "Performance in a People‑First Workplace – Creating Accountability, Addressing Under‑performance, and Maintaining High Standards While Supporting Employees" 16:15 – "Culture Through Change – Maintaining Trust, Engagement, and Performance During Periods of Transition" 16:45 – "What Makes a Great Games Workplace in 2027?
– Identifying Three Bold Priorities for the Next Two Years" 17:15 – Drinks and informal networking 17:30 – Best Places to Work Awards ceremony 18:30 – Closing drinks and final networking session 19:00 – Event concludes The summit is designed not only to present cutting‑edge research and thought leadership but also to provide a forum where HR leaders, talent managers, and senior executives can exchange real‑world solutions. Whether you are looking to deepen your understanding of AI ethics in recruitment, develop robust policies for neurodiverse staff, or craft a people strategy that fuels growth, the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit 2026 offers a comprehensive platform to achieve those goals.