A quirk of mine is that I don’t like to know the winners in advance. As I’m not involved in the judging process, I ask the team to keep the winners a secret from me so that I can properly share in their joy and excitement at the event. The only award category where I typically have any prior knowledge of the winner is the prestigious Chair’s Award, which is decided by our chair Alison Lobb, with insights and recommendations from myself.

This year, the highly deserving winner was RS Clare, a business that has exemplified innovation since its foundation in 1748. Liverpool’s oldest manufacturing business – and one of its most forward-thinking – now sees 70% of its business exported to more than 65 countries, with operations in Europe and the US. A new technical centre and a £3.5 million investment in a new grease plant exemplify how RS Clare continues to create jobs, drive innovation, and shape the future of high-performance lubricants for critical sectors like rail, oil & gas, and marine.

Its connections to the Chamber run deep, not least as Ian Meadows served as our Chair in the early 2000s, and we see that same spirit of leadership and partnership enduring through current MD David Meadows. RS Clare is the very best of Liverpool’s past, present, and future.

There were plenty of other examples of excellence on show at the awards, and not just among the winners. Members of the judging panel have since told me that some categories were incredibly tight, meaning some organisations that might otherwise be deserving of a prize narrowly missed out this year.

However, that’s what makes our awards so exciting and, dare I say, rewarding. Success is never guaranteed, regardless of membership status or commercial relationship, and that just reinforces the integrity and authenticity of what the Chamber team tries to produce.

It means we’re able to recognise thriving businesses such as Kimpton and Asset Lifecycle Solutions – our Businesses of the Year in their respective categories – alongside rising stars such as Alfie Fitzsimmons and established leaders like Colin Sinclair or Gregory Abrams. The full spectrum of what makes our professional community tick.

As we approach another critical period for the UK and local economy, with interest rate decisions, devolved funding agreements and the Chancellor’s Budget all on the near horizon, the awards provided a salutary and timely reminder that we have many reasons to be proud and positive here in our resilient city region.