adminThe first finalists for the 2026 Best Places to Work Awards UK have been announced, with nominees recognised across categories covering workplace wellbeing, diversity, education, environmental responsibility and more. The special awards sit alongside the overall awards for small, medium and large companies. Winners will be revealed at a ceremony at The Royal Institution in London on October 1, 2026.
Image credit: GamesIndustry.biz
2026 Best Places to Work Awards UK: key nominees
NaturalMotion Games has the most special-award finalist places, appearing in five categories. Rocksteady Studios is shortlisted four times, while Jagex, Playground Games and Rare each have three nominations. These numbers refer to finalist placements across the special awards, not the overall company awards.
The HR Hero Award also returns in 2026. It recognises an individual who makes an exceptional contribution to supporting colleagues and strengthening workplace culture. This year’s finalists represent Frontier Developments, HundredStar Games, Jagex, Playstack, Playground Games and IO Interactive.
Special award finalists
Corporate Social Responsibility Award (presented by Special Effect)
- Jagex: The Runescape Company
- NaturalMotion Games
- Playground Games
- Rocksteady Studios
- Wushu Studios
Diversity Award
- Maverick Games
- NaturalMotion Games
- Rare
- Snap Finger Click
Education Award (presented by IO Interactive)
- Dink
- Electric Square
- Jagex: The Runescape Company
- Rocksteady Studios
- Two Point Studios
Environmental Award (presented by Games London)
- NaturalMotion Games
- Playground Games
- Rare
- Rocksteady Studios
Health and Wellbeing Award
- Behaviour Interactive UK
- Hangar 13
- NaturalMotion Games
- Rare
- Rocksteady Studios
Training and Development Award
- Behaviour Interactive UK
- Jagex: The Runescape Company
- NaturalMotion Games
- Playground Games
HR Hero Award
- Yvonne Dawes, Frontier Developments
- Tuoya Joe, HundredStar Games
- Gary Martin, Jagex: The Runescape Company
- Carmen Martino, Playstack
- Anna Stone, Playground Games
- Leah Wilson, IO Interactive
HR Summit and awards ceremony
The awards ceremony will follow the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, sponsored by Amiqus, which takes place earlier that day at The Royal Institution. The summit will address practical challenges for people professionals and workplace leaders. Topics include working with trade unions, supporting neurodivergent staff, workforce planning as AI use grows, and handling AI-generated casework in employee relations.
Keynote speaker Sasi Venables, founder of the HR Confidence Club, will discuss the future of people leadership as workplace expectations change. Niki Head, people and development director at Stellar Entertainment, will lead a session on how HR can challenge leadership constructively and act as a “critical friend.”
IO Interactive, Games London and Special Effect are among the award sponsors. Amiqus sponsors the HR Summit and the G Into Gaming Award. Liz Prince MBE, Business Manager at Amiqus, said the awards help highlight organisations putting workplace ideas into practice and give the industry an opportunity to learn from one another.
For attendees, the summit and awards offer a chance to hear practical discussions before the finalists and overall winners are celebrated. The 2026 Best Places to Work Awards UK winners will be announced in London on October 1, 2026.
