The GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit for 2026 has now revealed 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. The event’s headline presentations will be delivered by Sarah Venables, founder of the HR Confidence Club, who will explore the evolving demands of people leadership; Jonny Hopper, chief executive of Glowmade Studio, who will discuss how workplace culture can become a strategic competitive edge; and Harvey Elliott together with Carmen Martino from Playstack, who will illustrate how a well‑executed people strategy can translate directly into business outcomes. The summit continues its partnership with Amiqus as the primary sponsor, underscoring a shared commitment to advancing HR excellence across the industry. Set against the historic backdrop of The Royal Institution in London, the summit will run on October 1 and is structured as a full‑day programme packed with more than a dozen presentations, workshops, and round‑table discussions.
The agenda is divided into two main blocks – a morning segment focused on the pressing challenges confronting HR professionals in game development studios, and an afternoon segment that shifts the lens to leadership, culture, and the strategic role of people functions in driving commercial success. During the morning block, attendees will hear from thought leaders on a range of timely subjects. Topics include the integration of neurodiversity into everyday workplace practices, with practical guidance on how managers can support neurodivergent team members while maintaining high performance. Another session will demystify the impact of artificial intelligence on employment relations, offering concrete advice on handling AI‑generated evidence, navigating AI‑driven casework, and ensuring fairness in AI‑augmented decision‑making.
The morning also tackles the future of unions and employee voice within the games sector, probing how collective bargaining and employee representation might evolve as studios grow and diversify. After a brief coffee break, the programme moves into a series of breakout sessions conducted under Chatham House rules.
These smaller, facilitated discussions give participants a safe space to share experiences and explore solutions on topics such as managing performance during periods of financial turbulence, mapping skill pathways for emerging roles, and crafting people strategies that anticipate the disruptive influence of AI on both HR processes and broader business models. The confidential nature of these sessions encourages frank dialogue and peer learning, allowing HR professionals to leave with actionable insights they can apply within their own organisations. The afternoon portion of the summit pivots to leadership and strategic impact. Jonny Hopper will present a session titled "People as a Competitive Advantage," illustrating how a strong, inclusive culture can fuel innovation, retention, and market differentiation.
Following him, Harvey Elliott and Carmen Martino will walk the audience through a case study of turning cultural initiatives into measurable business results, highlighting metrics, storytelling techniques, and the alignment of people goals with product milestones. Further afternoon sessions address the tension between employee expectations—such as flexibility, transparency, and a supportive environment—and the commercial realities that studios face.
Speakers will discuss how to balance these forces without compromising either side, and will propose frameworks for building accountability, addressing under‑performance, and maintaining high standards in a "people‑first" workplace. A dedicated panel on the "Skills Challenge" will explore how studios can anticipate the capabilities they will need in the next five years, and will suggest methods for upskilling, reskilling, and retaining talent in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The day will close with a forward‑looking conversation titled "What Makes a Great Games Workplace in 2027?" where thought leaders will identify three bold initiatives that studios should undertake over the next two years to elevate their workplaces. This session is designed to inspire concrete action plans that participants can take back to their companies.
Following the summit’s formal programme, the evening will transition into the 2026 Best Places to Work Awards. These awards recognise excellence across company sizes—small, medium, and large—and also honour achievements in specific categories such as Education, Diversity, and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Sponsors for the awards include Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London, and Special Effect, reflecting a broad industry commitment to celebrating workplaces that set high standards for employee wellbeing and development. Tickets for the full day, which includes registration refreshments, lunch, and the networking drinks receptions, are currently on sale. The schedule also provides ample opportunities for informal networking, with coffee breaks in the morning, a lunch break, and dedicated networking slots both before and after the awards ceremony. Attendees will leave the summit equipped with fresh perspectives, practical tools, and a network of peers dedicated to advancing the people function within the games industry.