Human resources personnel in the gaming sector are calling for increased backing from studio executives as job cuts impact the industry

The GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit 2025 convened on October 2 at the Royal Institution in London. Over 60 leaders from the gaming industry shared valuable advice and insights.

The main speech was delivered by Nicky Ormrod, Sega Europe's chief people officer, together with Simon Court and Dan Bobby from Value Partnership. They spoke about strategies devised to steer Sega towards renewed growth.

Featured on the main stage were Gina Jackson of Skillfull and Liz Prince from Amiqus. They explored the "talent reset," emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary skills amid industry shifts. Niki Head and Chiara Santevecchi delved into the topic of AI and its impact on work culture.

Liz Prince and Gina Jackson during their talk at the HR Summit

Besides these talks, interactive workshops were held, including one led by Kevin McCoy of Next Jump and Simon Sparks from GameDataCore. They provided strategies to improve team performance with limited resources.

For those who missed the event, GamesIndustry.biz plans to release recordings and summaries of many sessions in the coming weeks.

Uniquely focused on HR in the gaming sector, the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit stands out in the UK's business calendar. A recurring theme, however, was the absence of certain invitees, rather than those present.

Kevin McCoy presents a workshop at the HR Summit

The final session involved a wrap-up workshop, allowing participants to discuss previously covered topics and propose new ideas. One notable discussion centered on the question, "Who is doing the PR for HR?" This led to dynamic exchanges about recognizing HR achievements and sharing their stories with the media.

Significant was the discussion about HR's limited presence at the board level. Many attendees supported a call for top executives to participate in future summits.

The significance of the HR Summit was widely acknowledged; it serves as a key meeting point for HR professionals in the gaming industry. However, concerns were raised about it becoming an echo chamber, as crucial messages need to reach beyond the event itself.

Audience members raised various points during the HR Summit wrap-up workshop

Conversations with attendees revealed frustrations about management decisions being imposed without consultation. Issues such as sudden staffing changes highlight the need for involving HR in decision-making processes.

The general sentiment was that HR is often overlooked by management, perceived as a necessity rather than a business cornerstone. Increasing dialogues between executives and HR experts is essential. GamesIndustry.biz is considering ways to address this need in future events. Meanwhile, if you are in HR and resonate with these observations, consider discussing these matters with your superiors and initiate conversations.