LDC and The Times honour Chris Garner for driving Avensure’s ambitious plan to triple its growth and expand its HR software worldwide.
Chris Garner, Founder and CEO of Avensure, has been named one of the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2025, as part of the prestigious annual programme by LDC (the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group) in partnership with The Times.
Now in its eighth year, the LDC Top 50 celebrates the nation’s most dynamic and forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the UK economy. Out of nearly 700 nominations received, Chris Garner was chosen among the select group of 50 leaders recognised for their determination, innovation, and measurable impact within their industries.
The honour follows a period of rapid growth for Avensure, which is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy, aiming to triple its size while scaling its award-winning HR technology platform for international markets.
Chris Garner’s journey to the Top 50 was shaped by persistence and lessons learned from adversity. Reflecting on a pivotal chapter in his entrepreneurial story, he told LDC: “I’m ambitious and always think I can trade myself out of a problem. In my business, it’s all small monthly fees, so you need thousands of clients to make it work. For the first six years, I was in debt. That’s when I learned about overtrading, and what happens when you sell too much, too quick. I had to slow down sales and restructure the company. We came out of that time healthier, leaner and sharper and grew faster as a result. It was a proud moment when I paid off the debts. I remember making that last payment and thinking, ‘I’m free’.”
Today, Avensure stands as a thriving multi-million-pound HR, employment law, and health & safety consultancy, supporting more than 7,000 clients nationwide with a team of over 150 experts.
Looking ahead, Chris Garner’s ambitions remain as bold as ever: “We could triple in size in the UK alone, and our software is designed to go global. We invest £1 million a year into our online service, which we’re pushing hard. It’s been costly and complex, but our clients love it and it supports our retention rates. 90 per cent of this year’s turnover is already baked in – these are recurring, uplifting contracts. We have built an HR platform that we can tailor to different territories. I just want to keep growing and building great products and services.”
- £1 million annual investment in Avensure PeopleCloud, the company’s cutting-edge HR platform
- 90% recurring revenue from long-term client contracts, providing stability for expansion
- Global scalability built into the technology platform
- Record retention rates driven by exceptional client service and innovative software
Chris Garner’s entrepreneurial drive runs in the family, as he explained to LDC: “There’s a natural ability within my family. My father had his own business and my siblings run businesses too. I’ve always been independent: I was a handful when I was young, often pushing boundaries at school. Since leaving school at 18, I’ve never worked for anyone else. I’ve always done my own thing and built successful businesses.”
That independent spirit and boundary-pushing mentality has driven Avensure to become:
- One of the 7 Best HR Consulting Firms for UK Startups & SMEs in Startups.co.uk 2025
- A trusted partner to over 7,000 UK businesses
- An innovator in HR technology with the Avensure PeopleCloud platform
- A 24/7 support provider with 60+ highly qualified consultants delivering sector-specific expertise
The business leaders featured in The LDC Top 50 for 2025 collectively generate £1.2 billion in turnover, £140 million in pre-tax profit, and employ almost 10,000 people. Most are expecting to at least double in size within three years.
Avensure is contributing to this economic impact through:
- Job creation across Manchester and the UK
- Supporting SME growth by removing HR and compliance barriers
- Technology innovation that helps businesses scale efficiently
- Saving businesses millions in tribunal costs and legal penalties
John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, said: “In the eight years since we launched The LDC Top 50 we’ve had the honour of meeting some exceptional business leaders. This year’s cohort has shown drive and ambition in their growth journeys, proven remarkable resilience, and together they are making a real difference to their employees, the communities they work in and society at large. I’d like to congratulate them on everything they’ve achieved so far. Their success stories are only just beginning, and we’re excited to see where their journey takes them next.”
Chris Garner’s inclusion in The LDC Top 50 adds to Avensure’s recent accolades:
- Named among 7 Best HR Consulting Firms for UK Startups & SMEs (Startups.co.uk, October 2025)
- Over 14 years protecting UK businesses
- 7,000+ clients and growing
- 60+ highly qualified consultants delivering 24/7 support
- Millions saved for clients in tribunal costs and penalties
For the thousands of startups and SMEs that Avensure supports, Chris Garner receiving this recognition validates what they already know: they’re partnered with a business leader who’s committed to continuous growth, innovation and excellence.
Chris Garner commented: “This recognition from LDC and The Times is an honour, but it’s also a responsibility. It validates our mission to protect businesses and empower them to make confident decisions about their people. We’re not resting on our laurels – we’re investing heavily in technology, expanding our team, and preparing to take our model global. Our clients deserve nothing less than the best, and that’s exactly what we’re building.”
About The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders
- Chris Garner’s LDC profile can be viewed at: https://www.ldc.co.uk/top-50/chris-garner-2/.
- And his full Avensure profile at: https://www.avensure.com/our-team/christopher-garner/.__
About Avensure
Through its 360º legal shield solution and designated advisor approach, Avensure provides complete peace of mind that businesses remain fully protected and always compliant with UK law. The company invests £1 million annually in its Avensure PeopleCloud platform, a cutting-edge HR technology solution designed for global expansion.
Services include 24/7 HR support, employment law advice, tribunal representation, health & safety consulting, business immigration services, and the Avensure PeopleCloud platform.
