The evening of the awards ceremony unfolded with the unveiling of the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places to Work Awards for the United Kingdom, an event that once again took place at the historic Royal Institution in London, concluding the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit. The occasion was made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London and Special Effect, whose contributions helped to celebrate the achievements of the industry’s most employee‑focused companies. These awards are grounded in a rigorous methodology that draws heavily on the voices of the workforce themselves.
Approximately 80 percent of each company’s final score is derived from an anonymous employee survey, ensuring that the feedback reflects genuine sentiment from staff across all levels. The remaining 20 percent of the rating comes from the companies’ own submissions, where they detail the internal policies, programs, and initiatives that underpin their workplace culture. In addition to the core categories, a selection of special recognitions is determined by the GamesIndustry.biz editorial team, while the prestigious G into Gaming award is presented by Liz Prince MBE of Amiqus. Despite a challenging year marked by industry‑wide layoffs, studio closures and a wave of job losses, the entries received for this year’s awards painted a hopeful picture.
Many UK game development firms demonstrated a steadfast commitment to nurturing their employees, with respondents highlighting a range of supportive measures—from comprehensive mental‑health resources and flexible working arrangements to robust sustainability practices and robust mentorship schemes. These comments underscore how the sector is increasingly embedding progressive policies as standard practice rather than exceptional perks. The competition across several categories was particularly fierce, illustrating just how closely matched the leading companies have become in terms of employee welfare.
For instance, the mental‑health support category saw nominees offering everything from on‑site counselling and mental‑wellness days to partnerships with external mental‑health charities. In the sustainability arena, firms showcased initiatives such as carbon‑offset programmes, waste‑reduction targets and green‑office certifications. Meanwhile, the education and mentoring category highlighted structured apprenticeship pathways, regular skill‑development workshops, and dedicated mentorship pairings that help junior staff progress quickly within the industry. Below, we present a curated gallery of photographs capturing the moments from the awards ceremony.
The images feature smiling winners receiving their trophies, candid shots of attendees networking, and behind‑the‑scenes glimpses of the event’s elegant setting. Each picture serves as a visual testament to the collaborative spirit and shared pride that define the UK games community. We extend our sincere gratitude to the event’s sponsors—Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London and Special Effect—without whose support the awards could be delivered with the level of excellence they deserve. Their involvement not only provides financial backing but also signals a broader industry endorsement of the importance of workplace excellence.
Looking ahead, the Best Places to Work Awards will return in 2027, continuing the tradition of recognising companies that place their people at the heart of their operations. Organizations interested in becoming sponsors or contributing in other ways are encouraged to reach out to matt_butlin@gamesindustry.biz for further information. The ongoing dialogue between employers, employees and industry bodies will ensure that the standards for a healthy, inclusive and forward‑thinking workplace continue to rise across the gaming sector.