One of the best known names in the Liverpool legal sector – Gregory Abrams – was honoured at the Liverpool Chamber Awards for his outstanding contribution to the city. Tony McDonough reports
Hundreds of guests packed into St George’s Hall to see winners of the Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards 2025 revealed.
And there was a special moment for one of Liverpool’s best-known legal figures. Gregory Abrams, who founded Gregory Abrams Davidson (GAD) in 1980, received the Liverpool Legacy (Honouring the past) award for his outstanding contribution to the city.
Gregory still heads up the firm 45 years on and it now operates in Liverpool, London and in the US. And Gregory was also recognised for the pivotal role he played in the renaissance of the city’s Cavern Quarter.
Wirral-based facilitates management firm Kimpton was named Business of the Year for firms with more than 30 staff. The Business of the Year award for firms with fewer than 30 employees went to tech recycling specialist Asset Lifecycle Solutions.
RS Clare, Liverpool’s oldest trading business and the UK’s longest-established lubricant manufacturer, with industry clients worldwide, was the recipient of the Chair’s Award.
Joloda Hydraroll, a leading provider of loading solutions based in Speke, scooped two awards – for Innovative Product or Service and Innovation in Global Excellence.
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool innovation district and its spin-out development company Sciontec, won the Leading The Future award, a special prize for this year’s awards to mark Liverpool Chamber’s 175th Anniversary.
And FR Fire Protection, a division of well-established and fast-growing Liverpool construction firm Frank Rogers took home the Innovation in Technology award. FR Fire Protection has become a key driver of growth at Frank Rogers which recently saw an almost 40% rise in annual revenues to £28m.
In 1987, seven years after founding his law firm, Gregory Abrams acquired the Mathew Street building that is still the headquarters of GAD. This helped to kick-start the regeneration of the area and saw it become what is now known as the Cavern Quarter.
Taking the lead from the Cavern Quarter, the council started to make similar improvements to other parts of the city centre. Locations such as Bold Street and Hope Street were designated as ‘Gold Zones’.
Addressing the 400 guests at the awards, Gregory said: “I recognised early on that the practice would always have to change and adapt with the times. And so it has.
“It is this visionary approach that has seen GAD expand far beyond its Liverpool home with operations in both London and across the Atlantic in the US, supporting businesses to widen their horizons and trade internationally.”
He added: “But its roots remain in the city and I am proud to have played a key role in Liverpool’s economic and cultural renaissance.”
Paying tribute to Gregory, Liverpool Chamber chief executive Paul Cherpeau also said: “Liverpool Chamber thrives because it constantly changes and evolves, like so many great businesses in this room. Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors is an excellent example of that.”
Harker, an app which aims to tackle homelessness through the use of data, won the Innovation in Skills award and Bluecoat Arts Centre was recognised with the award for Innovation in Social Value.
The Innovation in Business Awards is headline sponsored by Lexus Liverpool, while construction and fire safety specialist Frank Rogers was associate sponsor of the event. MSP Global provided AV services for the ceremony.
Gathering of around 100 business leaders in St George’s Hall concert room, sponsors Gregory Abrams and Rachel Walker from associate sponsors Frank Rogers addressed guests, and GAD handed out prizes from a draw.
They included meals at Nord, Lakehouse Waterloo and The Athenaeum, as well as experiences at Liverpool Airport’s brand new Aspire Lounge and a stadium tour at Bramley Moore.
The winners of each award category were selected by a panel of independent judges sourced from across the Liverpool city region business community.
Paul Cherpeau added: “We have a real depth of talent and expertise within our city region economy and much of that has been on display throughout this year’s awards.
“Businesses here share a spirit of innovation that is central to their ability to succeed and consistently renew in the face of multiple economic challenges and we are proud to have an opportunity to showcase and celebrate their achievements with them.”
Full list of winners:
- Innovation In Skills and Talent: Harker
- Innovative Product or Service: Joloda Hydraroll
- Liverpool Legacy (Honouring the past): Gregory Abrams
- Future Focused: Leading The Future: Colin Sinclair
- One To Watch: Alex Keyter, Generative Minds
- Business Of The Year (Under 30 employees): Asset Lifecycle Solutions
- Business Of The Year (Over 30 employees): Kimpton
- Rising Star (Education Provider): Alfie Fitzsimmons
- Innovation In Social Value: Bluecoat Arts Centre
- Innovation In Technology: FR Fire Protection
- Innovation In Global Excellence: Joloda Hydraroll
- Trailblazer (Honouring the past): Hayley Smallman