UK Gaming Industry Honors 25 Employers at 2026 Best Places to Work Awards

Key points

• The 2026 ceremony awarded 25 UK firms across small, mid-sized, and large categories based on an 80% employee survey and 20% company survey.
• Snap Finger Click won both a main Best Places to Work award and the Diversity Award, while Rare took the Environmental Award and Dink won the Education Award.
• Jo Haslam of Snap Finger Click received the G Into Gaming award, and Leah Wilson of IO Interactive won the HR Hero Award.
• The event followed the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, which drew 79 representatives from 41 companies, including AAA, AA, and indie studios.

Background

This event aligns with broader industry trends prioritizing workplace well-being and hybrid work models, as seen in recent union petitions and corporate restructuring discussions in the gaming sector.

Why it matters

These awards highlight the growing emphasis on employee welfare and diversity in the UK gaming industry, influencing recruitment standards and corporate culture across major studios.

What to watch

Winners will likely leverage these recognitions in recruitment and marketing, while the industry continues to monitor how workplace standards affect retention and innovation.