Chris Garner, Founder and CEO of Avensure, has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders in the UK for 2025 by LDC, in partnership with The Times. This accolade highlights his exceptional leadership and the significant impact of Avensure on the UK’s business landscape.
About the LDC Top 50 Recognition
The LDC Top 50 is an annual program that celebrates the UK’s most ambitious business leaders. These individuals are recognized for their remarkable ambition, resilience, and impact across various industries. In 2025, the program received nearly 700 nominations, with the final list featuring leaders who are driving growth, innovation, and job creation across the UK. (LDC)
Avensure’s Growth Under Chris Garner’s Leadership
Founded in 2011, Avensure began as an outsourced HR specialist offering insurance products to protect businesses against employee tribunals. Under Chris Garner’s leadership, the company has expanded its services to include health and safety support, people management software, onsite training, immigration services, and employee wellbeing offerings such as counselling, GP services, and employee perks. (LDC)
Based in Manchester, Avensure now serves over 7,000 clients across the UK, generating £20 million in revenue. The company is on an ambitious growth trajectory, aiming to triple its size in the UK and expand its software platform internationally. (LDC)
Chris Garner’s Vision
In his statement, Chris Garner expressed pride in Avensure’s achievements and outlined the company’s future aspirations:
“I’m so proud of what we’ve built. We could triple in size in the UK alone, and our software is designed to go global.” (LDC)
This vision underscores Avensure’s commitment to expanding its reach and impact, both within the UK and internationally.
Industry Impact and Recognition
The LDC Top 50 program not only honors individual leaders but also highlights the collective contribution of these businesses to the UK’s economy. The 2025 cohort collectively employs nearly 10,000 people and generates combined revenues of £1.2 billion. These leaders are making significant strides in creating jobs, championing sustainability, and expanding internationally. (LDC)
Visual Highlights
Image Source: GlobeNewswire
Chris Garner, Founder and CEO of Avensure, has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders in the UK for 2025 by LDC, in partnership with The Times. This accolade highlights his exceptional leadership and the significant impact of Avensure on the UK’s business landscape.
The Avensure founder named among the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2025 is Chris Garner, the company’s Founder and CEO.1
The recognition is part of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme, supported by The Times.2
Case Study and Comments
Chris Garner was selected for his ambition, resilience, and impact in the HR, employment law, and health & safety outsourcing industry.3 Avensure, a Manchester-based business, is a UK leader in employment support, generating £20 million in revenue from over 7,000 clients.4
Defining Moment (Case Study Highlight)
In an interview with LDC, Chris Garner spoke candidly about a challenging period that shaped Avensure’s success:
“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.”
Future Ambition and Growth
Garner’s vision for Avensure includes significant expansion and international growth:5
- Growth Target: “We could triple in size in the UK alone, and our software is designed to go global.”
- Technology Investment: “We invest £1 million a year into our online service, which we’re pushing hard.6 It’s been costly and complex, but our clients love it and it supports our retention rates.”
- Business Model: “90 per cent of this year’s turnover is already baked in – these are recurring, uplifting contracts.”7
Recognition Comments
Chris Garner commented on the honor:
“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.8 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.”
John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, praised the 2025 cohort:9
“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 at10 large.”11