Sport leaders flex their muscles at annual business awards

The regions sporting business elite were among the big winners at this year’s Liverpool Awards.

John Baker, who was appointed regional director of The Jockey Club earlier this year with responsibility for Aintree, Haydock and Carlisle racecourses, including the Grand National, was named Man of the Year, while Everton In The Community chief executive Denise Baxendale won Woman of the Year.

Business trainer and motivational speaker Andy Bounds scooped Business Personality of the Year and Dave Brown, of Apposing was named as this year’s Rising Star at the awards, which are organised by Downtown Liverpool in Business.

Helen Broughton, who has led law firm Morecrofts through a successful 200th anniversary year that included two Law Society awards, picked up the prize for Legal Advisor of the Year, Hilene Henry of Wilson Henry won Financial Advisor of the Year and PH Creative’s Bryan Adams won the Digital Entrepreneur category.

A special award in memory of the late Paul Rice, the former chief executive of Liverpool Commercial District BID, was collected by Frances Molloy, chair of Liverpool Community Health and chief executive of Health@Work.

Frank McKenna, chief executive of Downtown Liverpool in Business, said: “The Livercool Awards are all about celebrating those business leaders, entrepreneurs and decision-makers who have made an extra special impression on the city region economy in the past year.

“There are some notable winners from across the Liverpool business community, not least from our flagship racecourses and Everton’s extremely successful charity organisation, which does so much good across all walks of local life.

“The burgeoning sense of optimism that has been displayed by all of our shortlisted and successful nominees means we can hopefully look forward to celebrating even greater success stories next year.”

The 11th annual Livercool Awards were held at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza hotel on Thursday November 14.

Sexy Networker – Male: John Haynes – International Coaching Academy Sexy Networker –

Female: Rebecca Keegan – Seen Magazine

Apprentice of the Year: Mikey Durgan – MSP Global ltd

Employee of the Year: Jayne Smith – Document Direct

Rising Star: Dave Brown – Apposing

Business Development Manager of the Year: Frank Rogers – Brown Turner Ross

Legal Advisor of the Year: Helen Broughton – Morecrofts

Financial Advisor of the Year: Hilene Henry – Wilson Henry

Property Personality of the Year: Lawrence & Katie Kenwright – Signature Living

Marketing & Communications Personality of the Year: Gary Bond – Bond Media

Digital Entrepreneur of the Year: Bryan Adams – Ph.Creative

Man of the Year: John Baker – Jockey Club Racecourse

Woman of the Year: Denise Barrett-Baxendale – Everton FC

Business Personality of the Year: Andy Bounds

Paul Rice Award: Frances Molloy

Chairman’s Award: Gemma Bodinetz & Deborah Aydon – Everyman & Playhouse Theatre