Home Business Awards & Achievements Inaugural LCR Pride Awards Winners Revealed

Inaugural LCR Pride Awards Winners Revealed

LCR Pride Award Winners 2019 (Image: David Munn)

Liverpool City Region businesses and business leaders were celebrated last week at the inaugural LCR Pride Awards, a celebration of the region’s LGBT+ community and its allies and supporters, presented in association with Merseyrail.

Fourteen accolades were presented during the course of the evening, with full service brand and communications agency, Agent, being named LGBT+ Friendly Business of the Year and its chief executive, Paul Corcoran being named Business Person of the Year. City centre bar, Kitty’s Showbar, was also celebrated as LGBT+ Friendly Venue of the year.

The night also saw two special awards presented, the Lifetime Award to renowned drag performer, Lady Seanne and the LCR Pride Foundation award, presented by Chair of the LCR Pride Foundation, Andi Herring, to Culture Liverpool.

The accolade was presented to Liverpool City Council’s cultural service in recognition of its role in establishing the LCR Pride Foundation, for its commitment to inclusivity and diversity and for its shared vision to make the Liverpool City Region the most LGBT+ friendly in the UK.


As a mark of gratitude the organisation was honoured with the title of ‘Grand Marshall’ at the 2020 ‘March with Pride’, leading the annual protest through the city alongside the Michael Causer Foundation.

The Hilton Liverpool City Centre’s Grace Suite was dressed in rainbow colours to highlight the importance of inclusivity, acceptance and equality and there were show-stopping performances from Danny Beard throughout the evening, as well as raffles to raise money for the LCR Pride Foundation, with prizes from Liverpool FC, Everton FC, Hilton, NGUP, Floral Hall, Epstein Theatre, Atkinson Theatre Southport, St Helens Theatre Royal, Neighbourhood, Olive, Farmageddon, Winning Moves and Carter Gore up for grabs.

Andi Herring, Chair of the LCR Pride Foundation, said: “To have so many inspirational members of our community gathered together and to be able to celebrate and recognise their work is an incredible honour.

“These are the people who are fighting daily for LGBT+ rights in the Liverpool City Region. The brightest, bravest and best of the LGBT+ community and its allies. They not only share the foundation’s vision to make our region the most LGBT+ friendly in the UK, but they are actively working towards making it a reality. We would like to extend our congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to all of the winners and finalists.”

Jane English, HR Director at headline sponsor Merseyrail, added: “Congratulations to all finalists and winners at this year’s LCR Pride Awards – the work that these individuals, groups and organisations do for the region’s LGBTQ+ community makes a huge impact and the ceremony was an incredibly inspiring experience.

“We are proud to be involved in this event as part of our commitment to the Liverpool City region and in supporting our employees to bring their best self to work, where they can express themselves and feel valued, and most importantly where they are treated equally, with respect as an individual. We will continue to work closely with the LCR Pride Foundation going forward.”

Celebrations continued into the evening with an after-party at the Hilton, where winners, finalists and guests danced the night away to music provided by Radio Xtra and Zest North West DJ, Josef Hollywood.

LCR Pride Awards 2019 Winners

  • LGBT+ Young Person sponsored by Ripstone Games – Ben Saunders
  • LGBT+ Community Group sponsored by Merseyrail – Comics Youth
  • Community Event of the Year sponsored by Riverside Housing – House of Suarez Vogue Ball
  • Campaigner of the Year sponsored by Nonconform – Sue Logie
  • Ally of the Year sponsored by Love Lane Bar & Kitchen – DCC Julie Cooke
  • LGBT+ Friendly Business of the Year sponsored by Westminster Associates – Agent
  • Employee of the Year sponsored by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Metro Mayor – Stephen Lancaster-Frankland
  • Business Person of the Year sponsored by Morecrofts Solicitors – Paul Corcoran
  • Michael Causer Award for work to tackle Hate Crime sponsored by Michael Causer Foundation – Sheena-Marie Williams
  • Inclusive Sports Group of the Year sponsored by Jack All Productions – Mersey Marauders FC
  • Performer / Personality of the Year sponsored by Barefoot – Ruthie Adamson a.k.a ‘Wonky Wordsmith’
  • LGBT+ Friendly Venue sponsored by Hilton Liverpool City Centre – Kitty’s Showbar
    Lifetime Award – Lady Seanne
  • LCR Pride Foundation Award – Culture Liverpool