The 2026 UK Best Places to Work Awards were held on October 1 at the historic Royal Institution in London, celebrating the most employee‑friendly studios and companies across the British games sector. The ceremony highlighted a select group of organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their staff, ranging from large multinational publishers to small indie developers.
Among the honourees were Dink, Hangar 13, Jagex: The RuneScape Company, NaturalMotion Games, Rare, and Snap Finger Click, each receiving special recognition for their contributions to a healthier, more inclusive workplace. The awards event followed the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, a gathering that attracted 79 delegates representing 41 different entities, including AAA powerhouses, mid‑tier studios, independent developers, consultancy agencies, training organisations, and academic institutions.
The summit provided a platform for candid conversations about talent management, diversity, mental health, and professional development, setting the stage for the awards that would acknowledge those who have turned those discussions into concrete action. In total, 25 companies were crowned Best Places to Work across three size‑based categories: small, mid‑sized, and large. The judging process combined two primary sources of data: an employee‑focused survey, which contributed 80 percent of the final score, and a company‑focused questionnaire, accounting for the remaining 20 percent.
This dual‑approach ensured that both the voice of the workforce and the strategic intentions of management were reflected in the outcomes. The ceremony was made possible through the generous sponsorship of several industry leaders, including Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London, and Special Effect.
Their support underscored a shared belief that recognising workplace excellence benefits the entire ecosystem, from developers to players. Liz Prince MBE, Business Manager at Amiqus, highlighted the synergy between the HR Summit and the awards: "What makes these events especially valuable is how well they complement each other.
The HR Summit creates space for honest discussions, shared learning and new ideas, while the Best Places To Work Awards shine a spotlight on the studios and businesses that are turning those ideas into action. Bringing the industry together to both learn from each other and celebrate success helps raise standards for everyone, and we're proud to play a part in that." Her remarks emphasized that the two events together form a feedback loop—insights generated at the summit inform best‑practice initiatives that are later recognised on the awards stage. Paul Evans, Director of HR & Recruitment at Playground Games, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We’re proud to support GI.Biz in recognising the UK’s best mid‑sized Video Game Studios.
These are not only teams that are creating brilliant games, but studios who are also setting the standard for what a great place to work looks like in our industry." His comment points to the dual achievement of producing high‑quality entertainment while fostering a supportive internal culture. Among the individual accolades, Jo Haslam—currently Design Director at Snap Finger Click—received the prestigious G Into Gaming award. Haslam’s career spans notable positions at Mediatonic, Relentless, and the BBC, and she was praised by Liz Prince MBE as "one of those rare people who leads with both empathy and action in perfect unison," calling her "an inspiring woman and a natural leader." Snap Finger Click also secured both a Best Places to Work Award and the Diversity Award, underscoring the studio’s holistic approach to inclusion and employee well‑being. Rare was honoured once again with the Environmental Award, a category sponsored by Games London that recognises studios taking tangible steps to reduce their ecological footprint.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough‑based indie Dink captured the Education Award, presented by IO Interactive’s Chief Development Officer Veronique Lallier, highlighting the studio’s commitment to training and knowledge sharing within the community. The full roster of winners, broken down by category, reads as follows: Small‑Company Winners: Fireshine Games, Lively, MLC Studio, Playstack, Silent Games, Snap Finger Click, Stellar Entertainment Software, Swipe Right, Tanglewood Games, Uplift Games.
Mid‑Size Winners: Behaviour Interactive UK, Electric Square, Expression Games, Fenris Creations, Hangar 13, HundredStar Games, Kinetic Games, Maverick Games, Rare, Studio Gobo, Wushu Studios. Large‑Company Winners: Frontier Developments, Jagex: The RuneScape Company, Playground Games, TT Games. Special Recognitions: Jo Haslam (Snap Finger Click) – G Into Gaming Award; Jagex: The RuneScape Company – Overall Winner; NaturalMotion Games – Multiple Category Honours; Rare – Environmental Award; Dink – Education Award; Hangar 13 – Mid‑Size Winner; Snap Finger Click – Diversity Award. Additional notable attendees included Yvonne Dawes of Frontier Developments, Tuoya Joe of HundredStar Games, Gary Martin of Jagex, Carmen Martino of Playstack, Anna Stone of Playground Games, and Leah Wilson of IO Interactive, who was herself a recipient of a winner’s accolade.
The 2026 awards not only celebrated the studios that have excelled in creating supportive workplaces but also set a benchmark for future initiatives. By highlighting best practices in employee engagement, mental health support, diversity, sustainability, and professional development, the event reinforced the idea that a thriving workforce is integral to producing world‑class games.
As the industry continues to evolve, these recognitions serve as both a reward for current achievements and a roadmap for studios aspiring to improve their internal cultures. The momentum generated by the HR Summit and the awards ceremony is expected to influence policy, recruitment strategies, and studio management approaches throughout the coming year, fostering an environment where creativity and employee well‑being go hand in hand.