Last Updated on: 15th October 2025, 01:01 pm
Recognition from LDC and The Times highlights Garner’s vision to triple Avensure’s UK growth and expand its global HR technology footprint.
Chris Garner, the Founder and CEO of Avensure, has been recognised as one of the Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders in the UK for 2025. The annual list, curated by LDC (part of Lloyds Banking Group) in partnership with The Times, spotlights the entrepreneurs and business pioneers making the greatest contribution to Britain’s growth and innovation.
Now celebrating its eighth year, the LDC Top 50 showcases outstanding leaders from across the country who demonstrate exceptional ambition, creativity, and resilience. From nearly 700 nominations, Chris Garner stood out for his relentless drive to grow Avensure and revolutionise the HR technology landscape.
This accolade comes at a defining moment for Avensure, which is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan to triple its business and extend its award-winning HR software internationally.
Garner’s rise to success was built on lessons learned during the early years of Avensure, when resilience and recalibration proved vital. He recalled to 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’.”
That hard-earned experience laid the foundations for Avensure’s current success — a multi-million-pound HR, employment law, and health & safety consultancy now serving more than 7,000 clients across the UK with a 150-strong team.
Discussing his future ambitions, Garner said: “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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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.
