Games firms in the UK can now enter the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards 2026.
The awards are returning for their ninth instalment in what has once again proven to be a difficult year for firms across the industry – but one which has nevertheless contained successes for companies big and small. The Best Places To Work Awards celebrate the organisations and the people who truly support their team members.
The awards are open to all games companies with offices in the UK, including developers, publishers, service companies, retail and media, and you can submit your company through this form. The deadline for all entries is Friday, August 21st. Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony that will take place at the Royal Institute on Thursday, October 1, following the conclusion of the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
The categories are the same as last year, although we have slightly updated our entry forms to enable more consistent comparisons between each entry. Each form retains free-text description fields so that each applicant has the opportunity to highlight any activities that don’t fit into defined categories.
The Best Places To Work Awards criteria is based on a two survey system, one for the employer to fill in (and worth 20% of the score) and the other for employees (80% of the score). For a detailed rundown on how the awards process works, our Frequently Asked Questions and how these awards are judged, click here.
All employer data and identifiable employee information is deleted once the awards and any reports have been processed. Businesses that do not win will not be named.
Participants can receive a free report from us featuring their overall scores, and we also have benchmarking and advanced reports available for a fee.
Alongside the Best Places for small, mid-size and large companies we also have special awards. These are awards designed to highlight excellence in specific areas. This year, those awards include:
The Diversity Award | Highlighting a company that is proactive in trying to improve the inclusion and diversity of their business and the wider games industry. Companies can enter here.
The CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Award | Celebrating a company that has gone above and beyond supporting international and local charities, the local community and the games business. To participate, enter here.
The Health & Wellbeing Award | This award is for companies that offer strong health benefits and proactively support the physical and mental wellbeing of their teams through initiatives and awareness. To participate, enter here.
The Training and Development Award | Added in 2024, this award is for companies who offer extensive training, development and educational opportunities for employees. You can enter through here.
The Education Award | Here we spotlight a business that goes the extra mile in supporting the development of the next generation of video game talent. Enter here.
The Green Award | This special award is for those companies who are guaranteeing their workplace is environmentally sustainable and are playing their part in combating climate change. You can participate here.
HR Hero | This is for a person who has gone above and beyond in looking after teams and individuals, and has made a significant impact in ensuring the games industry is a better place to work. You can submit people for this award here.
The ceremony will take place at The Royal Institution of Great Britain in London alongside our HR Summit on Thursday, October 1st. Amiqus, Playground Games, and IO Interactive are sponsoring this year’s event.
“We’re very happy to be supporting both the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit and the Best Places To Work Awards,” says Liz Prince, Business Manager at Amiqus. “At Amiqus, we’re passionate about helping studios build inclusive, engaging workplaces where people can do their best work, so it’s fantastic to be involved in events that put people, culture and leadership at the centre of the conversation.
“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.”
The Midsize Company award is once again sponsored by Playground Games.
“We’re proud to support GI.Biz in recognising the UK’s best mid-sized Video Game Studios,” says Paul Evans, director of HR & talent acquisition at Playground Games. “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.”
The Education Award is sponsored by IO Interactive.
“We believe great games are made by people who genuinely love making games,” says Marina Surdu, Global Employer Branding Manager. “Education helps turn that passion into a craft and, most importantly, gives talented individuals the opportunity to pursue it. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Education Award and recognize the people and initiatives that help future developers learn, grow, and become the impactful people behind the impactful games that shape our industry and create lasting memories for players.”
To take part, click here. The deadline for all completed applications is Friday August 21st.
For more details, contact [email protected]. For sponsorship enquiries, contact [email protected]
