Power comes in a lot of different forms - whether it's political power, influence in the business world or the power to change communities.
From the business owners who run our favourite businesses to political heavyweights, performers, podcasters and activists, these are the people who help shape Merseyside.
At the start of the year, we compiled a 'power list' of 100 of the most influential people across our region.
The world has obviously changed quite a bit since our list was first published, so we've added in some new names who have been at the forefront of guiding our city through a time of crisis.
Whether it's fighting for changes to the law, representing the voices of marginalised groups or heading up Liverpool's two Premier League clubs, the way these people show their influence varies considerably.
Many of the people on this list make life and death decisions - while others run the bars and restaurants that make Merseyside such an incredible place to live.
Some of them you will undoubtedly recognise - but others might be the lesser-known names behind some of our region's most important decisions.
These are the 100 most influential people on Merseyside right now.
If you're looking for work in Liverpool and beyond, you can use our dedicated jobs tool:
David Williams and Oliver Press
David and Oliver started Independent Liverpool seven years ago - and in the process completely transformed how people shop, eat and drink in our city.
The pair started a blog documenting the incredible independent shops, cafes, restaurants and bars around Liverpool.
Their independent consumer movement has gone from 100 likes on Facebook to thousands of people signed up to their membership card and app.
Back in 2017, they launched the Baltic Market - a food hall in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle which welcomes thousands of visitors every weekend.
Steve Warburton and Sue Musson
Steve Warburton and Sue Musson have enormous responsibility on their shoulders.
As chief executive and chairwoman of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, they head up an organisation responsible for the lives of millions of patients.
The trust was created last year when the Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals Trust merged with Aintree Hospital - meaning the pair now lead around 12,000 staff.
The challenges they face are formidable - there are enormous pressures on staffing, finances and patient numbers.
But in an interview with the ECHO Mr Warburton said they are confident they can improve care across the Royal, Aintree, Broadgreen and Liverpool Dental Hospital.
Steve Rotheram
Steve Rotheram was elected the first Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region in 2017 and leads the Combined Authority.
Born and raised in Kirkby, he ran his own building company after doing a bricklaying apprenticeship and leaving school with few formal qualifications.
In 2002, he began his political career and was elected to represent Fazakerley on Liverpool City Council.
Alison McGovern
In her decade in Parliament, Alison McGovern has fought tirelessly on the issues that truly matter to her constituents.
Wirral South MP Alison McGovern was selected as the candidate for her constituency in 2009 - and won her seat in the 2010 general election.
Over the course of her parliamentary career, Ms McGovern has campaigned on a number of major issues - both close to home and further afield.
She was elected co-chair of the Friends of Syria group - giving a memorable and emotional speech to the Commons when she took over the role from her friend Jo Cox, who was murdered in 2016.
Ms McGovern has also worked to increase the profile of New Ferry in Parliament, ensuring those affected by the 2017 explosion are not forgotten by the government.
Denise Barrett-Baxendale
Denise Barrett-Baxendale's reputation as a dynamo is deserved. Conscientious and innovative, her work at Everton in the Community was ground-breaking.
In 2018 she was appointed as the Club's new CEO - and she really does care about what happens to Everton.
On a daily basis Denise asks staff at Goodison Park and Finch Farm “What have you done for your club today?”
In addition to her business credentials, which are considerable – BA (Hons), MBA, PhD, the only representative from the world of football to sit on the board of Sport England – she 'gets' Everton.
Denise said: “It's not enough to be an Evertonian.
“You have got to be great at your job. You have got to be the best practitioner or professional and that is what is required to run the football club.
“But while skills, knowledge and qualifications are important, the sentiment and understanding of what our football club requires and what our fans expect is crucial too.”
Eva Carroll
She's still in school but Eva Carroll is already making waves with her bold message around sexual harassment.
The 17-year-old, from Maghull, hit the headlines after bravely speaking out about her own experience of being slapped on the bum as she walked down the street.
After telling her story through the ECHO Eva received huge amounts of support from across the country.
She now wants to raise awareness and change people's attitudes towards gender-based harassment - so she's started her own campaign to help women stand up and be empowered to say 'this is not okay'.
Tom Morris
Home Bargains is one of the biggest names on our nation's high streets - and entrepreneur Tom Morris opened the very first branch in Old Swan in 1976.
The bargain store holds a special place in many shoppers' hearts on Merseyside, and the Morris family's influence in the retail sector is undeniable.
One of seven children and the son of a shopkeeper on Scotland Road, Tom Morris was 21 years old when his first store opened and his takings were less than £100 a week.
With Tom Morris remaining notoriously publicity shy, it is his brother Joe, one of three other Morris siblings, who is usually found speaking in public on the Home Bargains founder’s behalf.
Angela Eagle
Holding on to a seat in Parliament for more than 25 years doesn't come easy.
Angela Eagle has been the Labour MP for Wallasey since 1992, and has spent her political career campaigning for LGBT rights and trade unions.
Proudly describing herself as a "difficult woman", Ms Eagle had to work hard to garner respect and recognition in a political system dominated by men.
She came out as a lesbian in a newspaper interview back in 1997 - making her one of the first ever Members of Parliament to come out in office.
Before she could come out publicly, Ms Eagle had to first tell her bosses - and even let Prime Minister Tony Blair know what to expect.
Ms Eagle came out to the world five years after being elected to represent Wallasey - and has advocated for gay rights, gender equality and other vital issues throughout her career in Parliament.
A fiercely intelligent political powerhouse, Ms Eagle can also include "former chess champion" and "Oxford graduate" to her long list of impressive achievements.
Ms Eagle has been in a civil partnership with her long-term partner Maria Exall since 2008.
Jamie Webster
For plenty of Reds fans across Liverpool, Jamie Webster provided the soundtrack to Liverpool FC's incredible Champions League victory.
Jamie Webster’s brilliant version of Allez Allez Allez has taken him on a remarkable journey - from the Ukraine to Madrid and Dublin to the United States.
His distinct sound and strong following among Reds fans has seen Jamie performing in the fanzone for historic European nights for Liverpool FC, as well as following Klopp's side around the world on pre-season shows.
From sold-out tours to packed arenas, Jamie's voice has influenced the way Reds around the world get to experience their club.
Dan Nicolson
Starting out as a football fanzine, BOSS Nights have fundamentally transformed the way countless Reds around the world connect with their club.
Co-founder Dan Nicolson set out to create somewhere supporters could go after the match that served cheap lager and played good music – to extended the match-going experience beyond the ground.
What started out as a hobby for Dan and his friends ended up becoming *the* place to be for Liverpool's younger local fanbase - and now BOSS's reach is global.
From filling the Plaza Felipe with fans in the hours before Liverpool clenched their sixth European Cup to announcing a 'BOSS Special' with Dua Lipa, it seems there's no limit to the demand for Dan's incredible events.
And while BOSS is undoubtedly a team effort supported by a number of people who make it so special, Dan's influence has overhauled fan culture in Liverpool and beyond.
Paul Senior
Working his way up from bartender to business director - Paul Senior is a true Scouse success story.
The face behind some of the city’s most popular haunts, Paul is in charge of Motel, Death Row Diner and Petit Cafe Du Coin, as well as the Farmer's Arms over the water in Frankby.
He used to work as the operations manager for a group including Tavern on the Green, Newington Temple and the Lodge on Lark Lane.
Paul, 32, started out as a bartender in the former Bier bar on Lark Lane when he was 22, before working his way up to running three of the city’s busiest venues.
The Vivienne
When it comes to drag, you won't find a better queen than The Vivienne.
The fierce Liverpool queen was crowned the winner of the UK's first ever series of Ru Paul's Drag Race, where she beat off competition from the country's best drag performers.
2019 was huge for The Viv, with her drag career hitting dizzying new heights following her appearance on the show.
The 27-year-old, who has previously worked in G-bar and Heaven, won viewers round with her Donald Trump impression during the Snatch Game and her bold runway looks.
As well as touring the UK and giving the UK drag scene a distinctly Scouse voice, The Vivienne used her platform on the show to speak out on important issues.
She was open about her own battle with addiction and road to recovery, saying she hopes her story can help others.
Ian Usher and Shaun Duggan
When you think of gay nights you probably imagine cheesy pop music, bad karaoke and strict door policies - but one Liverpool club night managed to change all that.
Sonic Yootha has been running for more than four years as a club night for “homos, heteros, drag shows and don’t knows”, and it’s been dubbed by many as the event that saved Liverpool’s gay scene.
The monthly Kitchen Street party plays everything from techo to rock, pop and soul music.
Ian Usher and Shaun Duggan are two of the club night's co-founders, and the pair decided to launch what they describe as a 'queer night' with a distinctly different sound to most gay clubs.
Now people travel from all over the country to throw shapes under Yootha's disco ball.
Ian told the ECHO : "It's madness. There's nothing else like it in the city. It's a complete melting pot of young, old, in between, gay, straight, drag... freakshows."
Nisha Katona
Bold Street success story Mowgli has taken the city's foodie scene by storm since opening its doors in 2014 with a unique take on Indian street food.
At 48-years-old, Nisha has an impressive 12 restaurants and her own series of cookery books under her belt - and she's showing no signs of slowing down.
The barrister-turned-chef grew up in Ormskirk, and now lives in Wirral with her husband and two daughters, but she learnt all she knows about cooking from her Indian mum - and regular family trips to India.
While her business continues to expand around the country, with her Bold Street branch playing a huge part in revolutionising Liverpool’s restaurant scene.
Natalie Haywood
Natalie Haywood is the woman behind LEAF on Bold Street, One Fine Day, Oh Me Oh My and Goodness Gracious rooftop bar - as well as the new LEAF across the water in West Kirby.
But running some of the city's coolest and most innovative venues didn't come easily.
Starting with an investment of just £5,000 in 2007, and fighting through the teeth of the economic downturn, LEAF’s success story is an inspirational one for anyone thinking of going into business for themselves.
Natalie has always been business-minded, even as a child. Speaking to the Business Post, she said: “At Belvedere School I used to buy and sell trolls. I would take an order from the playground for rubbers, pencils and trolls and then me and my mum would go to the wholesalers and pick them up.
"I’d sell them in the playground the next day. I got told off by the headmistress, who made me put a stop to it!”
From there she went to Lancaster University’s business school, which had a great reputation, but found herself getting bored and itching to do something ‘productive’.
With a string of successful businesses under her belt, Natalie has helped shape Liverpool's bar and restaurant scene in a big way.
The Anfield Wrap
The Anfield Wrap is a multi award winning independent Liverpool FC fan channel and media production company that shares the experience of supporting the club from the heart of the city, through podcasts, videos and writing, all on their app.
Established back in 2011, TAW is based in their Mann Island offices on Liverpool’s waterfront, following the Reds’ fortunes at home and away.
With a loyal group of listeners and subscribers, they've gone from putting out one show a week to becoming a full time business that produces over 60 podcasts and 40 videos each month, with paying subscribers in over 80 countries around the world.
Special guests on their shows have included Rafa Benitez, Jamie Carragher, Virgil Van Dijk and current Reds boss Jürgen Klopp.
In a season where Liverpool finally brought the Premier League title home for the first time in 30 years, The Anfield Wrap are seen as the authentic go to voice of match going fans who tell meaningful stories about the football club and the city.
The Anfield Wrap team were also behind the stunning mural of Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, which is emblazoned on a property at the corner of Sybil Street and Anfield Road.
In a heartwarming gesture, The Anfield Wrap chose not to stamp their own recognisable logo on the huge piece of public artwork - choosing instead to highlight an important community cause.
The mural is to be used to bring attention to Fans Supporting Foodbanks, to try and make people more aware of the work they do in the area.
Harry Doyle
23-year-old Harry Doyle has shown his age can't stop him standing up for his beliefs on Liverpool Council.
The school teacher was elected to the council in May 2018 and represents the Knotty Ash ward.
As a member of the Planning Committee he was one of the strongest voices to speak up about the problems with Liverpool FC's plans for concerts at Anfield - and forced the club to come back with a better plan for local residents.
He has also been incredibly outspoken in representing residents on his ward over plans for the future of Liverpool FC's Melwood training facility.
In March 2019, Cllr Doyle stormed out of a meeting with Reds bosses after he tried to stop them going ahead with plans to flatten Melwood and replace it with 160 homes when the club moves its base to Kirkby.
Being the baby of Liverpool's political world hasn't stopped Cllr Doyle from making some serious waves and making a real name for himself.
John Bird and Andi Herring
Liverpool loves a party - and Andi Herring and John Bird certainly know how to throw one.
Each year, they lead the team of volunteers that organise Liverpool's Pride festival in their roles as co-chairs of the LCR Pride Foundation.
Juggling their 9-5 day jobs around voluntary roles organising one of Liverpool's biggest events certainly isn't easy.
Organising Liverpool Pride is a year-round responsibility, as they meet with partners, sponsors, other organisations and work out the logistics of staging one of the biggest free Pride festivals in the country.
John has been volunteering for Pride since 2016, one year after friend Andi first got involved.
John said: "I’m in a position I did not expect to be back in 2016, but to observe the experiences of young people at events such as Pride, finding their tribe and knowing there are others like them, make the hard work all worthwhile."
Liam Kelly
Liverpool's Baltic Triangle is home to some of the city's coolest bars, restaurants and music venues - with new ventures popping up all the time.
The area has proven to be a breeding ground for creatives and entrepreneurs to launch their businesses and find a home for new ideas.
One of the people behind the area’s growing success is Liam Kelly, who has been chair of the Baltic Triangle Area CIC since 2017.
The Baltic Triangle Area is a community interest company charged with leading and representing the Baltic’s stakeholders.
It looks after the area’s identity, output and helps to organise lobbying efforts behind issues like re-opening the train station.
The community interest company also looks at supporting public art in the area and helping the Baltic continue to go from strength to strength.
Liam is also chief executive of Make Liverpool, a social enterprise with creative spaces in the Baltic and Liverpool’s North Docks.
Gee Walker
Gee is the founder and patron of the Anthony Walker Foundation, a charity established after the racially motivated murder of her 18 year old son in 2005.
Since that horrific event, Gee and the Foundation have worked tirelessly to educate young people on the evils of racism and hate, supported thousands of people who have experienced hate crime and promoted the values of diversity, inclusion and respect for all.
Gee herself has inspired and influenced so many young people with her personal experiences and words of encouragement asking listeners to be the best they can and achieve their goals in life.
The Foundation continues to work to create safer and stronger communities for all people to live, work and thrive.
Matt Ashton
Liverpool’s new Director of Public Health officially began the job on April 1, charged with keeping 500,000 citizens healthy during the global coronavirus pandemic.
Matt Ashton, 47, joined Liverpool City Council amidst its huge operation to tackle the pandemic but due to government guidelines he's had to help co-ordinate the many challenges it poses from home.
The father of two arrived int he role from Sefton Council - where he held the role of Director of Public Health for the last four years.
In a first for the historic role of Director of Public Health in Liverpool, Matt, who grew up in the city and attended Calderstones Comprehensive, works closely with the University of Liverpool, holding the position of Honorary Professor, Department of Public Health and Policy.
This joint role is intended to help ensure that the strategic aims of the department of Public Health and Policy align with the huge practical issues facing the city.
Daniel Hughes
Daniel Hughes is a powerhouse of public relations, with a career that has quite literally spanned everything from political PR in Westminster to managing the comeback of pop music icons Westlife.
His political public relations career involved working for the Labour Party under Prime Minister Gordon Brown and later under Ed Miliband. He has recently been active in Keir Starmer’s campaign to become Labour leader.
The 36-year-old oversaw the rebrand of the British LGBT Awards, helping it to become Britain’s biggest red carpet LGBT+ event and last year teamed up with sports star Jamie Carragher to raise a quarter of a million pounds for grassroots football in Merseyside.
Daniel has been recognised for his work by the esteemed Chartered Institute for Public Relations. His Liverpool-based agency, ThisGeneration, leads campaigns and media relations activity for businesses, brands and people in the public eye.
Joe Campbell
Joe Campbell started Culture City in 2013 while he was studying on a film course in John Moores and wanted to pick up some real skills in the field.
The 25-year-old from Huyton set up Culture City to promote and showcase music, theatre and art from Liverpool.
Joe and the rest of the team at Culture City have worked with musicians and bands like Miles Kane and Mic Lowry, going on to set up their own production company creating documentaries, music videos and corporate films.
Since setting up their production company, Joe and the team have worked with the likes of Boy George, Robbie Fowler, Gordon Brown and Tim Burgess.
Lucy Cashman
Lucy, from Maghull, is paving the way for gender equality across Merseyside through her work at The Women's Organisation.
In her role as senior marketing executive for the Liverpool charity and social enterprise, Lucy uses social media as tool for change.
Her positive posts about amazing Scouse women and their achievements regularly go viral online, with Lucy championing local women's stories.
From Jodie Comer and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, to more incredible women across the city doing amazing things, Lucy makes sure their stories are heard everywhere.
Lucy has also become a global ambassador for equality, being recognised as a ‘young northern female leader’ and invited to Brussels to attend EU parliament and meet with MEPs and European leaders to discuss how more women can be encouraged to take up political roles.
This year, Lucy plans to take another step in promoting gender equality locally and globally with her involvement with the international Good Business Festival – a first for the city.
Paul Machin and Chris Pajak
The Redmen TV was created in 2007 by fans Paul Machin and Chris Pajak to provide a fans voice within media.
Producing a constant stream of video, audio and written content across a number of social media platforms, they offer the voice of real fans following the Reds.
Such is their success that The Redmen TV has been awarded winner of the North West Football Awards ‘Best Fan TV Channel’ for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Jonny Bongo and Joshua Burke
Jonny Bongo, real name Jonathan Lacey, and Joshua Burke are the brains behind Bongo's Bingo - the massive party event that's swept the globe but started right here in Liverpool.
It all started with a playlist on a laptop, a bingo machine, an empty warehouse space and a crazy idea from Josh and Jonny, who have built their own business from the ground up.
In just over five years, the idea that started as ‘a bit of a laugh’ has turned into an internationally renowned event taking place in cities around the world.
Jonny previously told the ECHO that a lot of the success of the concept is also to Scousers, he said: “It’s more about Liverpool, I have lived her 10 years and I would class Liverpool as my home.
“People just really got behind the concept right away, people in Liverpool are up for a laugh and that’s what the event is...that’s why it has worked so well.”
“I think that’s to do with the Northern mentality, there’s no pretension.”
Elliot Barton and Charlotte Tiplady
Launched in 2016, by two best friends from Liverpool, Tatti Lashes has fast become one of the world’s biggest luxury eyelash brands. The lashes have been worn by a number of celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian West, Ariana Grande and Cardi B to name a few.
Behind the brand are duo Elliot Barton, aged 28, and Charlotte Tiplady, aged 30, who, through 10 years’ experience in the beauty industry, set out to rejuvenate the lash sector after years of extensive testing and research.
Two best friends with big ambition, Charlotte and Elliot first started their brand from a Liverpool beauty salon basement, with the vision of creating a product to appeal to a local audience. Little did they know that three years later, Tatti Lashes would become the number one lash brand in Europe, and retail in 93 countries across the globe.
The duo first had the idea after Charlotte had her first son, Teddie, in 2016. Both owned their own beauty salons specialising as lash technicians, and saw a gap in the market for a professional lash that cut out salon time but gave the same effect as Russian volume eyelashes.
In 2017, Nikki Minaj was the first celebrity to wear Tatti Lashes, shortly followed by Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner. Through strong relationships with globally credible makeup artists, Tatti Lashes have also graced the eyes of Kim Kardashian West, Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Paris Hilton and more.
Georgia Morgan
At just 26, Georgia Morgan is the co-founder of public relations company Propel PR.
Launching the business in March 2019, Propel represents some of the city’s biggest brands including award-winning restaurant-bar group Graffiti Spirits and EPIC apartments and hotels.
Through her business, Georgia helps promote some of the city's biggest businesses and champion the people making Liverpool such a great place to live.
With a focus on smaller businesses and South Liverpool, Georgia has also helped launch East River and Bloom Bar & Bistro on Allerton Road.
After starting her career as a journalist, she moved into PR and helped Liverpool brands like Titanic Hotel Liverpool and Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival with their PR.
Patrick Wilson
Patrick Wilson, from Tuebrook, has made his mark in the hairdressing world - working with supermodels including Kendall Jenner, Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber, as well as musician Charli XCX and Liverpool’s own Jodie Comer.
He started out as a Saturday boy aged 14, working at Herbert’s salon, building up a loyal client base at Barbara Daley and Electric Hairdressing in Beauty Bazaar Harvey Nichols before leaving salons to become a session stylist.
With more than 38,000 followers on Instagram, Patrick is set to take the hairdressing world by storm, and his work has been featured in Vogue, Elle and Wonderland.
Patrick said: “Liverpool is a glamorous city and the girls really like to make an effort, I feel proud to say it’s my home town. It has definitely influenced my style of hairdressing.”
Conor McDonnell
Liverpool photographer Conor McDonnell is living the dream - one week he’s taking pictures of Calvin Harris in the studio, the next he’s following David Attenborough to produce the artwork for one of his films.
He also took *those* Kim Kardashian and Kanye West wedding pictures and was named in Forbes Magazine’s 30 young professionals under 30.
Conor’s image of the glamorous Kardashian and West wedding, which appeared on Kim’s Instagram account, was the most viewed image in the world at the time.
Speaking to the ECHO after the Kimye wedding he said: “I absolutely love my job as I get to travel the world and work with amazing, inspiring people.”
Dan Gilbanks and David Scowcroft
Dan Gillbanks and his business partner David Scowcroft, set about changing the face of Liverpool city centre with an exciting new venue.
PINS on Duke Street has brought something completely different to Liverpool's bar scene, as a "boutique bowling alley" with food from one of the city's favourite independent restaurants, Bacaro, and their sister chain Rocket & Roby.
Hosting eight lanes downstairs, with four private lanes upstairs, PINS also has classic table games and live music.
The late night bowling venue has been years in the making for Dan and David, with Dan already running family business Posh Pads on Duke Street, which provides 31 apartments for visitors to the city.
Ben Saunders
Ben Saunders was crowned Stonewall Young Campaigner of the Year in May 2019, after producing a powerful and moving short film featuring the voices of trans young people from across the North West.
Through the documentary, the Wirral teen explored the experiences and challenges trans young people face at school, highlighting the importance of other pupils learning about diverse LGBT identities.
The Birkenhead Sixth Form College student filmed at YPAS and also presented it at Transgender Day of Visibility for GYRO and The Action Youth, showing the research that went into the making of the film.
Jodie Comer
Since the world was first gripped by her performance in BBC drama Killing Eve, Jodie Comer hasn't stopped.
In 2019 she won an Emmy for her portrayal of Villanelle, being nominated alongside the likes of Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones and her co-star Sandrah Oh.
Jodie also scooped a BAFTA for best actress and a TV Choice Award for her incredible work on the BBC drama.
With her awards success placing her among the country's brightest young acting talents, Jodie has appeared on magazine covers across the world.
The 26-year-old, from Childwall, attended St Julie's in Woolton alongside a weekend drama school.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
At just 21 years of age, Trent Alexander-Arnold is a sportsman who truly has the world at his feet.
Describing himself as 'just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream came true', 2019 was the year Trent helped bring the Champions League trophy back to Anfield for the sixth time and secure a 19th Premier League title.
It's hard to believe Trent only made his debut for the club back in December 2016 when he stepped onto the pitch for his first Premier League match against Middlesbrough.
Since then, he's become the youngest ever player to start in two consecutive Champions League finals, as well as representing his country on the England squad.
To celebrate the season where Liverpool FC cemented their place as European royalty, a three-storey mural of Trent was emblazoned on a property in Anfield this year.
Commissioned by The Anfield Wrap, Trent spoke to the ECHO at the mural's official unveiling, saying: "The main message that kids should be picking up from me and my story is that anything is possible and anything can happen - because I was once that kid in a Gerrard or Carragher shirt.
"They were the players who were the local ones in the team and they were the ones who made me feel as though anything can happen."
Camilla Mankabady
A former programme editor for both BBC News and ITV News at Ten, Camilla Mankabady has a formidable CV in the world of media.
Last year she was handed the new role of Director of Communications at Liverpool City Council, heading up a communications team of 25 people.
Announcing her new role on LinkedIn, Camilla said: “I am hugely honoured to have recently been appointed the new Communications Director for Liverpool City Council.
“In an age of government austerity, Brexit fears and global downturn it is hugely important that we have local government leaders who are willing to make bold decisions to help transform lives and regions.”
Chelcee Grimes
Aigburth-born singer and footballer Chelcee Grimes was a pundit for last year's Women's World Cup coverage in France.
She also recently had her single Time to Talk played on Radio 1 as part of their Best New Pop list.
Balancing her career as a singer and songwriter alongside playing for Fulham Ladies, Chelcee started her sporting career with Liverpool Ladies at the age of 10.
Since then, she has played for Everton, Spurs and Tranmere Rovers before becoming a forward for her current London club.
As well as being a talented singer and performer in her own right, Chelcee has written hits for some of pop's biggest names - from Dua Lipa to Kylie Minogue.
Chronicling her exciting and varied career path on her Instagram, Chelcee shares her updates with more than 48,000 dedicated followers.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Katarina Johnson-Thompson is the athlete who brought home Liverpool's first ever gold medal at World Championships in Doha.
The 27-year-old heptathlete picked up gold for her home city in October 2019, with a giant gold medal and a huge congratulation banner were hung at the town hall on Water Street to congratulate her.
Katarina, from Woolton, has competed at two Olympic Games, finishing sixth in the heptathlon in Rio where she also set a new British high jump record.
A big Liverpool FC fan, she spoke again recently to the Times about how Liverpool's incredible fightback in Istanbul to win the club's fifth European Cup in 2005 in Istanbul has inspired her in her athletic career.
She's come a long way from the start of her phenomenal sporting career at Liverpool Harriers and the city celebrated her win with huge excitement.
Warren Ward
Warren Ward was elected Labour councillor for Bromborough, Port Sunlight and New Ferry when he was only 18 - just a few months after he publicly came out as being gay.
Wirral’s youngest ever councillor, he stepped down at the age of 20 to focus on his career and family.
The New Ferry explosion and subsequent campaign for regeneration saw him step up to help in the area. He also spoke out on LGBT issues and the need for more young people to be represented in the town hall.
Paul Smith
You've probably seen Paul Smith on Facebook hundreds of times - he’s probably made you laugh - beyond that, he’s something of a mystery.
The resident compere of the city’s Hot Water Comedy Club has performed sold-out national tours taking in huge arenas and the famous Apollo theatre in London.
He did his first national tour in 2008, which culminated in a night at the M&S Bank Arena to a crowd of 11,000 and continues to tour the nation's favourite venues.
Paul, from Cantril Farm, shot to fame when clips of his Hot Water shows went viral on Facebook - featuring his trademark 'hiya mate' banter with audience members.
Zack Gibson
Wrestling star Zack Gibson has spent over a decade grappling across the globe, performing everywhere from church halls to packed arenas, in the UK, Europe and China.
All of his hard work and dedication was rewarded when 'Liverpool's Number One', real name Jack Rea, 29, from Maghull, signed with American sports entertainment giant WWE.
The Liverpool FC-mad submission expert - who forces opponents to tap out to the 'Shankly Gates' wrist lock - now appears on a weekly show for the company's British brand, NXT UK.
At the UK division's first pay-per-view event in Blackpool in January, the former Deyes High School pupil and his close friend James Drake became the first NXT UK Tag Team Champions.
The pair, collectively known as the Grizzled Young Veterans, also give their time to training the next generation of young talents, at their Fighting Spirit Pro Wrestling gym in Maghull.
And while Sefton Council blocked their application to relocate to bigger premises in Bootle in September, nothing is going to stop Gibson reaching the very top of the wrestling business and helping to pave the way for others to follow.
Sandra Byrne
Sandra has worked for Lush for 15 years and helped scope out the premises for the store's huge Church Street expansion.
Liverpool's new Lush store marked a major investment in Church Street, with a store that was five times bigger than the Whitechapel premises.
Sandra said: "We have most definitely brought people to the high street - we have visitors from Sweden or France and the die-hard Lush fans from Canada who are on a road trip and will put Liverpool that plan."
Having moved from the business' original home on Bold Street into Whitechapel, 42-year-old Sandra sought out the new Church Street building when she found out it was going to be vacant.
And as Lush celebrates its first birthday in the new premises, it's clear to see the impact it's had on city centre shopping habits - with the store always full of excited customers.
Paul McCartney
Few people have done more to influence the city's history and musical heritage than Sir Paul McCartney.
His songwriting partnership with the late John Lennon remains the most successful in history - but his influence on his home city extends far beyond his musical contribution to the world.
Sir Paul founded the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in 1996, offering students a dedicated institution to gain qualifications across the arts and music technology.
The Beatles continue to be one of the main factors drawing tourists into Liverpool every year - and Sir Paul's work continues to put our city on the map.
If you're a Beatles fan you should listen to this
Listen to the ECHO's Beatles City podcast, bringing fans the story of the band that shook the world from the place where it all began.
Poised to launch its sixth series, Beatles City features interviews with those who were there at the birth of Merseybeat and played a part in the group’s rise to fame as well as those with a unique insight into the time.
Presenters Laura Davis and Ellen Kirwin interview a range of stars and experts on their memories including Pete Best, John Lennon's sister Julia Baird and Paul McCartney himself
Find Beatles City on iTunes HERE, and on Spotify HERE. or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ricky Tomlinson
Ricky Tomlinson has been entertaining families on Merseyside for decades in his roles as Bobby Grant in Brookside and Jim Royle in The Royle Family.
Lifelong Liverpool FC fan Ricky's career has spanned television, film and theatre - and in 2014 he was awarded the Freedom of Liverpool.
In 2010, he opened his own cabaret club on Duke Street called the Green Room, which hosts entertainers from around the world.
Outside his esteemed acting career, Ricky is a political activist and still lives in Liverpool, telling The Guardian: "I will never, ever move away from Liverpool, I love it here."
Anna Rotherey
Councillor Anna Rothery was sworn in as the Lord Mayor of Liverpool at a ceremony at the Town Hall on Wednesday, September 4.
She made history by becoming the city’s first ever black Lord Mayor.
Breaking the mould isn’t new territory for Councillor Rothery, as in 2012 she made political history by becoming the first Liverpool councillor to address the floor of the United Nations in Geneva. During her speech to representatives from more than 50 countries, Anna talked about the city’s minority communities and the work undertaken to get them to participate in politics.
Councillor Rothery became a councillor in 2006 and is responsible for the Princes Park ward – an area she was born and raised in.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is one of Merseyside's most celebrated footballers.
Now managing Scottish football team Rangers, Gerrard lived on the Bluebell Estate and attended St. Michael's Primary, now Huyton with Roby CE.
The former Liverpool FC and England captain famously inspired Liverpool to their unforgettable Champions League fightback in Istanbul in 2005 as well as helping the club win two FA Cups and three League Cups.
Tina and Georgia Kavanagh
The Ten Streets Market has transformed an industrial warehouse on Cotton Street into a quirky and vibrant market.
The new business was launched by mum and daughter Tina Kavanagh, 55, and Georgia, 30, in December 2018 as part of the Ten Streets project.
As a local entrepreneur who has spent a number of years working within Liverpool's social housing sector, with a focus on social and urban regeneration, Tina saw a gap in the market for a creative, family-friendly hub.
The market features more than than 25 stalls selling everything from arts and crafts to fashion and furniture.
Phil Redmond
Writer and TV producer Phil Redmond set up Mersey Television in the early 1980s and has created some of Britain's longest-running dramas.
Creator of iconic TV programmes such as Brookside, Grange Hill and Hollyoaks, Phil was born and grew up in Huyton.
In 2018, he received the City's highest honour, being awarded the Freedom of Liverpool.
Gary Lunt
Stand-up comic Gary Lunt has made it his mission to reveal the hidden gems of the city’s greatest filming locations in his walking tours of Liverpool.
In partnership with Reel Tours, film fanatic and LJMU Film graduate Gary celebrates Liverpool's success as a location for films.
As the city continues to blossom as a magnet for big and small screen shoots, Gary offers film fans the chance to see the city from an completely different angle.
On the tour people can find out more about why Tom Hardy loves filming in Liverpool and how our streets shaped Gotham City in the Batman franchise.
Michelle Charters
Michelle Charters is CEO of The Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre - a charity and community hub conceived and developed by Liverpool Black sisters - an organisation set up to tackle inequalities faced by women from Liverpool 8.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2019, the group offered support, advice and guidance to women living in Toxteth as well as launching after-school projects, getting involved in national campaigns and taking part in national protests.
A trustee at National Museums Liverpool, Michelle was involved in the International Slavery Museum’s Journey to Justice exhibition about activism in the city and the importance of ‘people power’ in the fight for social and political change.
Lorraine McCulloch
One stylist who has witnessed every fashion movement on Merseyside is Lorraine McCulloch.
She was a stylist for fashion store Cricket for more than 12 years, dressing some of the city's biggest celebrity names and pulling together some iconic WAG looks.
From the fishnets, Doc Martens and shaved heads of Liverpool's 1970s punk girls to the Juicy tracksuits and designers labels of the footballers' wives era, she's seen it all.
Few people have had more influence over the city's style than Lorraine.
Paul Bayes
Bishop of Liverpool since 2014, Bishop Bayes regularly campaigns to support the poor and vulnerable in the city.
He also won praise by becoming a patron of the 2017 Pride festival in the city and for consistently opposing discrimination.
In June 2016 Bishop Bayes called for "far-reaching change" in the church's attitudes to lesbian and gay people and a meaningful welcome to Christians in same-sex relationships.
Jubeda Khatun
Jubeda is the organiser of Blackfest, a Liverpool festival aimed at celebrating black and minority ethnic artists in the city.
The festival celebrated its second year in September 2019, with spoken word performances, music gigs, scratch nights, theatre shows, an Arts Council funding workshop and networking opportunities.
It aims to educate, empower and improve equality in the arts in Liverpool and further afield.
Michelle Langan
Michelle Langan spends her time running a volunteer group called The Papercup Project which is dedicated to helping Liverpool’s homeless community.
She hopes the work she and her volunteer team do is helping improve the lives of those living on the streets.
Hillsborough families and campaigners
After the tragic loss of 96 Liverpool fans during the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, families, football fans and supporters across the country joined forces to campaign.
Those who lost their loved ones in the disaster fought for justice and change over the decades through organisations including the Hillsborough Family Support Group and the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.
Andy Cooke
Andy Cooke is Chief Constable of Merseyside Police having joined the force in 1985 serving as a detective at every rank.
During his time at the helm Mr Cooke has urged more women to join the police force, overseen a wide-reaching anti-knife crime campaign and backed efforts to tackle food poverty in our communities.
Appointed to the job in 2016, Mr Cooke oversaw a major structural overhaul in 2017 aimed at modernising the force.
Tris Brown
A working class lad with a posh name, Tris was born in a theatre in Liverpool and grew up to be an award-winning communicator.
He has held a number of leadership positions across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Tris is a founder member of UNESCO UK and has represented the UK at the United Nations.
A major figure in the local and national Labour Party, for the past five years Tris has been the Mayor of Liverpool’s right-hand person. His work has included co-ordinating smart city approaches and he is currently developing a networking tool to build business partnerships between cities and across borders.
Joe Farrag
Joe Farrag is an artist and social activist who was heavily involved in the regeneration of Turner Prize-winning Granby Four Streets in Toxteth.
Lifelong Evertonian Mr Farrag formerly ran an art gallery on Falkner Street and is a veteran community activist and development worker.
He is involved with the Black Merchant Seamen Memorial Campaign and was instrumental in lobbying to have a memorial installed in Falkner Square.
Tony Reeves
Tony Reeves has been Liverpool Council's chief executive since 2018, having previously worked a consultant and advisor to Mayor Joe Anderson.
Mr Reeves also worked for the council's management team before being appointed to one of the city's most influential roles.
Prior to his consultancy work, Mr Reeves worked for professional services giant Deloitte as a local government advisory partner from 2014 to 2018.
He has a lengthy history in local government. He was chief executive at Bradford council from 2006 to October 2014 and before that held the deputy chief executive role at Wakefield council for three years.
Farhad Moshiri
Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri is the most powerful man at Everton owning a 77.2% stake in the Blues.
He became the largest shareholder in the Goodison outfit after months of speculation about a potential takeover.
Ex-Arsenal investor Mr Moshiri pledged to bring success to the Toffees, selling his 15% stake in Arsenal to buy into the Blues.
He also bought Liverpool's iconic Royal Liver Building in 2017, fetching £48m in a sale to a consortium led by international property group Corestate. Mr Moshiri was Corestate’s partner in the deal.
It was the first time the building had changed hands since it was built in 1911.
John Henry
American businessman John Henry is the principal owner of Fenway Sports Group which bought Liverpool Football Club from Tom Hicks and George Gillett after a protracted legal battle in the autumn of 2010.
Under their stewardship, the club has enjoyed massive development on and off the field with a European Cup victory, a new main stand at Anfield and plans announced for an Anfield Road development.
John Irving
John Irving is the Chief Executive of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, who started the important role on March 12, 2018.
Mr Irving joined Liverpool from Newcastle International Airport, where he was chief commercial officer.
Before moving into aviation, Mr Irving worked at businesses including Newcastle United FC.
Dan Carden
Dan Carden is the Labour MP for Liverpool Walton. He was elected in 2017 and is the shadow secretary of state for international development.
Dan, who describes himself as a "proud Scouser", has made numerous passionate speeches in Parliament.
The former union official burst onto the scene in the most controversial of fashion when he came from nowhere to be selected as Labour's candidate for the vacant Walton MP seat - beating city mayor Joe Anderson.
His first question at Prime Minister's Questions about the large numbers of Walton children struggling to eat during the summer holidays resulted in a heartless response from Theresa May that went viral and was widely mocked.
His first few months as MP were rounded off by a powerful maiden speech in Parliament in which he took on The S*n and the Tories before referencing the city's famous football clubs and John Lennon.
Paula Barker
Paula Barker was elected to represent Liverpool's Wavertree constituency in Parliament at the 2019 general election.
Before the election, Paula Barker was a Unison trade union official working as the North West Regional Convenor as well as the leader of her local government branch in Halton.
She worked in local government for almost 30 years, joining Liverpool council on a youth training scheme after leaving school.
Maria Eagle
Maria Eagle is the MP for Garston and Halewood. She joined the Labour party at the age of 17 and has been a member of Parliament since 1997.
She held a number of influential positions under New Labour, including roles at the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice. In June 2008, she was promoted to Minister of State in Gordon Brown's government.
A Liverpool FC fan and lawyer, she has been involved in the campaign for justice for the Hillsborough victims and their families.
She is also a big supporter of the Oliver King Foundation which is fighting to have defibrillators put into every public building.
Margaret Greenwood
Wirral West Labour MP Margaret Greenwood won her seat from Tory minister Esther McVey in May 2017.
Before becoming an MP the former English teacher worked in secondary schools, further education colleges and adult education centres in Liverpool and Wirral, as well as teaching literacy to adult learners and working with adults with special needs.
She has also worked as a travel writer. She is the shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, having held onto her seat in the 2019 General Election.
Mick Whitley
Mick Whitley is MP for Birkenhead having clinched the seat in a 2019 general election which saw the Tories winning a convincing majority across the UK.
One of his major policy demands is for less profitable bus services to Arrowe Park Hospital to be run as loss-leaders, rather than being axed.
In recent years, bus services to Arrowe Park Hospital have been cut with the 22 route linking the west of the borough to the hospital the latest to be re-routed.
Another big issue for Mr Whitley is homelessness with the Birkenhead MP calling for more social and affordable housing.
Peter Dowd
Bootle MP Peter Dowd was selected by Labour following the retirement of long-serving Joe Benton and elected in the 2015 General Election.
He was a Merseyside county councillor from 1981 to 1986 and was elected to Sefton Council in 1991, becoming the Labour group leader in 2008.
In May 2013 he became leader of Sefton’s first-ever Labour-controlled council.
Phil Garrigan
Phil Garrigan is the chief fire officer at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. He was appointed to the role in 2018, having formerly worked as the deputy chief fire officer for Merseyside.
Kim Johnson
Kim Johnson is Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside. A long-serving community and union activist and city council staff member, Kim is also Liverpool's first black MP.
Ian Byrne
Ian Byrne is Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby. He is well known in Liverpool as one of the founders of the Fans Supporting Foodbanks group that collects food and supplies for foodbanks at Liverpool and Everton matches.
Bill Esterson
Labour politician Bill Esterson was elected MP for the new Sefton Central constituency in 2010.
He has served on a number of government Select Committees, including Environment, Education and Treasury.
Locally he has campaigned to protect Sefton Central's threatened greenbelt and fought for the Thornton Relief Road. He is a vocal opponent of the Bedroom Tax and the cuts to front line police and fire, as well as local authority funding.
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool FC manager in October 2015 and led the Reds to two cup finals in his first season in charge.
He has enjoyed a near flawless record in the transfer market, developing a formidable squad. His greatest triumph for the Reds so far came in winning the Champions League in 2019.
Klopp's influence over his players, Reds fans and the club as a whole is clear to see - and his positive impact on the city reaches far and wide.
Carlo Ancelotti
Undoubtedly one of the most famous and successful managers in world football now finds himself on Merseyside.
Three-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti was confirmed as the new Everton boss in December in the latest step of an incredible career which has spanned the top leagues across the continent, becoming the most influential appointments in the club's long history.
Both on and off the pitch, the 60-year-old commands ultimate respect from players and peers alike thanks to his sheer success and man-management talents.
He has wasted no time in fully embracing life in Liverpool either, choosing to live on Merseyside and recently spending his time exploring the likes of Crosby beach and Bootle Strand to get a feel for his new surroundings.
Evertonians hope this is the start of a long and successful relationship.
Callum Smith
Callum Smith, 29, has given Liverpool plenty to be proud of in his incredible boxing career.
Coming from a proud boxing family, Callum is the fourth of four brothers to fight professionally and reach world level.
He ended 2019 as a world champion, in a year that saw him take on career-defining fights in Saudi Arabia and Madison Square Garden.
Outside the ring, Callum maintains his status as a role model for Merseyside, keeping things respectful and refusing to engage in the trash talk or cheap stunts that can often cloud the sport.
With an astounding 27 wins from 27 fights, this Scouse sportsman is widely tipped to have a big future ahead of him.
Joe Anderson
Joe Anderson is undoubtedly one of Liverpool's most influential figures - and he's always been a politician and a figure who has divided opinion.
After being brought up in poverty near Liverpool City Centre, Mayor Anderson joined the Merchant Navy long before deciding to enter politics.
His was first elected as a city councillor in the old Abercromby ward in 1998 - and five years later he became leader of the Labour Group on Liverpool City Council.
He was elected leader of the council when Labour seized control from the Liberal Democrats in 2010 and later made Mayor of Liverpool when the council voted to adopt the new governance model - bypassing the typical practice of a local referendum.
While some have criticised the Mayor's outspoken style and accused him of not listening to others in his role, his influence on the city is clear to see.
And he has successfully steered Liverpool through one of the city's most difficult periods - where a staggering £436m has been wiped from the council's government funding in a decade, more than other city.
Jamie Carragher
A true Liverpool FC great, Jamie Carragher made his LFC debut in 1997 and made 737 appearances for the Reds, second only to Ian Callaghan.
His heroic defensive display in Istanbul was a key factor in the club's unforgettable fifth European Cup win in 2005 and he also gained a UEFA Cup winners medal in 2001 to go along with two FA Cup and three League Cup triumphs.
He retired at the end of the 2012-13 season and is now a media pundit.
Tony Bellew
Tony 'The Bomber' Bellew is one of Liverpool's most successful and storied boxers.
A product of the "Home of Champions", Liverpool's Rotunda ABC, his ringwalk music was famously Everton's Z-Cars anthem, preceded by an air-raid siren, a gimmick Everton later adopted themselves on matchdays.
He won 40 bouts from 47 in his amateur career and was three times national ABA heavyweight champion.
He made his professional debut in October 2007, won the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles and twice fell short in bids for the world title.
But after moving up to cruiserweight, Tony won the WBO's International belt and then, on a famous Merseyside sporting night at Goodison Park, captured the WBC world title when he got back up off the floor to flatten Ilunga Makubu.
He successfully defended his crown and then moved up to heavyweight to shock the experts by twice stopping former world heavyweight champion David Haye.
Marie McCourt
Marie McCourt has long campaigned for the introduction of ‘Helen’s Law’ - which would see hiding a body, preventing a burial and obstructing a coroner become criminal offences with ‘whole life’ tariffs.
Her daughter Helen was just 22 when she disappeared on her way home from work in February 1988. Even though her body was never found, Billinge pub landlord Ian Simms was convicted of Helen’s murder and jailed for life.
Maggie O'Carroll
Maggie O’Carroll is CEO and co-founder of The Women’s Organisation - a charity and social enterprise originally set up to campaign and advocate on issues affecting women’s lives.
Since then it has gone on to help more than 50,000 women, been involved in the creation of thousands of new jobs and businesses and grown into one of the country’s biggest women’s economic development social enterprises.
Business leader and Cambridge graduate Maggie has been named as one of the 100 most influential people in the UK’s social enterprise sector.
Angela Samata
Angela has taken the terrible experience of losing her partner when he took his own life and used it as a force for good, working to support people effected by suicide.
She was chair of nationwide charity Survivors of the Bereaved by Suicide (SOBS), leading its Liverpool support group for seven years, and sits on the All Party Parliamentary Group looking at Suicide Prevention in England and Wales.
The mum-of-two also presented the BBC Bafta-nominated documentary Life After Suicide, which explored mental health issues and challenged the stigma of suicide.
Also a freelance arts professional, Angela worked with The Zero Suicide Alliance to launch free suicide prevention training.
Melissa Reddy
Look at the world of football journalism and you will see a lot of men.
One woman who had excelled in the face of every gender barrier is Melissa Reddy, senior football correspondent for The Independent.
Having first entered sport journalism in 2007, she has broken countless barriers in the football sphere to become a respected writer, podcaster and TV analyst.
Melissa moved to the UK in 2014 before becoming the Liverpool correspondent for Goal in 2015, emerging as one of the most important and trusted voices on the club, both in terms of breaking news and in-depth pieces.
Melissa is the also the first woman to feature on LFCTV’s Press Box and can be heard on BBC 5 Live, Radio Merseyside, City Talk and The Anfield Wrap.
Ann Lundon
As chief executive of the Florrie since 2015, Anne Lundon has been credited with turning the place around.
The Grade II-listed Victorian community hub in L8 closed in the late 80s having fallen into disrepair, but opened its doors again in 2012 after a huge fundraising effort.
Since taking over as CEO, Anne has helped the venue go from strength to strength, opening for 13 hours a day and bringing landmark cultural offerings including Jimmy Cauty’s ADP Riot Tour, which brought 3,000 people through the doors, and Jamie Reid’s prestigious punk exhibition Casting Seeds, which took over the entire building.
Erika Rushton
Erika Rushton is working to help communities across Liverpool and the UK- and played a key role regenerating the Baltic Triangle.
Erika chairs Baltic Creative, which turned shabby "tin sheds" into homes for small businesses. That helped spark the wider growth of the Baltic.
She also chaired Granby4Streets, which is helping local people breathe new life into a once-derelict part of Toxteth.
And she's now using her expertise at developing creative hubs on projects in Birkenhead, Salford and elsewhere.
In 2018, she won the Transformational Leader title at the Northern Power Women Awards.
Claire McColgan
Claire McColgan is the director of Culture Liverpool, which is the body responsible for the city's major tourism and events as well as the Liverpool Film Office.
Appointed to her role in 2009, she was previously instrumental in making the city's Capital of Culture a success and has since ensured the year's legacy - so much so that she was awarded an MBE for her services.
Claire is responsible for some of the city's biggest and most exciting events, from the Liverpool International Music Festival and Chinese New Year to the Mersey River Festival.
She also played a huge part in bringing The Giants to Liverpool for their incredible weekend-long extravaganzas.
A champion of arts and culture in the city, Clare has spent the last nine years making Liverpool a better place to live and play.
Madeline Heneghan and Mike Morris
Madeline Heneghan and Mike Morris are the co-directors of Writing on the Wall, which celebrates the written word through year round projects and a month long literature festival.
Madeline Heneghan became WoW’s first full time festival director back in 2006, while Mike is a founder member of Writing on the Wall with a celebrated career as a playwright.
Throughout the entire month of May, the annual WoWfest presents an eclectic mix of local, national and international writers, spoken word performers, commentators and artists.
Afrah Qassim
Afrah Qassim is the founder of Savera UK, a charity established in 2010 that is dedicated to tackling domestic abuse within black and minority ethnic communities.
As well as raising awareness, it supports individuals to help them make their own choices and have the right to be who they want to be.
Through its campaigning, Savera UK has made a huge contribution to protecting some of society's most vulnerable and marginalised individuals.
Daniel Davies
Rockpoint Leisure is behind a scheme to revolutionise New Brighton’s old centre, around Victoria Road, with innovative shops replacing empty buildings and beautiful artwork as far as the eye can see.
The aim of the project is to create a vibrant, independent cultural-hub in New Brighton and counter the neglect the project’s founders believe the area has suffered from in recent decades.
Chief executive of Rockpoint Leisure Daniel Davies has lived in New Brighton his entire life and, after making his money providing professional training for clients across the world, said he wants to give something back to his hometown.
Adam Jordan
When it comes to exerting influence in 2020, few people wield more power than social media influencers.
With their huge following, social media sway and perfectly-posed photos, brands and businesses are often queuing up to work with this new generation of online entrepreneurs.
One such influencer is Instagram star Adam Jordan, a Merseyside entrepreneur who hasn't even turned 25 yet.
Adam, originally from Litherland, runs Social Kick - a business that shows companies how to make the most of their social media accounts.
The 24-year-old started out by with a fashion account on Instagram when the app first came out in 2010, becoming an 'influencer' to an army of online followers at just 17.
Adam, who studied marketing at university in Liverpool, launched his company three years ago - and he's about to turn over £300,000.
His Instagram business has helped him live an incredible lifestyle - driving supercars, flying business class and getting invited to showbiz parties.
Adam's Instagram account is filled with photos of him living the dream, from posing at private villas in Bali to cruising around Beverly Hills in a Rolls Royce.
Matt Farrell and John Ennis
Matt and John run Grafitti Spirit, which operates Liverpool city centre bars and restaurants like Santa Chupitos, Salt Dog Slims and Slim’s Pork Chop Express.
Santas, in Slater Street, was their first foray into business after they had previously worked in bars and restaurants.
Janette Williamson
First elected to Wirral Council in 2012, the influential socialist politician has quickly risen to become the deputy leader of the council's Labour group and is well respected across the authority.
Leading the charge on a number of pioneering projects on the peninsular, Cllr Willamson was previously tipped to take over as the council's leader when Pat Hackett announced he intended on stepping down.
Paul Brant
Paul Brant is the Labour councillor for Fazakerley and cabinet member for health and social care.
Regarded as one of the most intelligent councillors in the city, he is widely respected across the city's political divides.
He knows his cabinet portfolio for health inside out and is a key champion of Liverpool's public health teams.
Cllr Brant's leadership on health teams has been drawn on hugely in the coming months as the city faces a major battle with coronavirus.
