Executive chairman Neil Hudgell has been awarded the prestigious ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award at the 2023 Hull Live Business Awards.
The honour is only bestowed on those who are considered to have made ‘an immense sustained contribution to business, society and the community across a number of years’.
Judges said it is recognition for him ‘making positive things happen for individuals, business, sports, and for good causes’ locally.
Neil established Hudgell Solicitors in 1997 and has led it to become rated as one of the Best 200 Law Firms in England and Wales, involved in major cases including the Post Office Horizon Inquiry, the Manchester Arena Inquiry and the Covid-19 Inquiry.
In sport he has been the owner of rugby league club Hull Kingston Rovers – the side he supported as a boy – since 2004.
He led them back into the top flight after years in the lower divisions, establishing the Robins as one of the forces in the game once again, winning praise from across the game for creating a culture where the directors, playing staff, fans and the community are united through collective pride and passion.
‘A genuine community person’
The awards, in their 23rd year, were judged by Furqan Alamgir, chief executive of headline sponsor Connexin, Top 30 Under 30 founder Simon Jones, For Entrepreneurs Only chief executive Jan Brumby and Sewell Estates managing director Jo Barnes.
Mrs Barnes said the judges ‘couldn’t think of a more humble and worthy winner’.
“Neil is just one of life’s good guys. Behind the scenes, and on the quiet, he cracks on with making positive things happen for individuals, business, sports, and for good causes. He really deserves this recognition,” she said.
Hull East MP Karl Turner, Hull FC owner Adam Pearson, and Paul Spence, of Hull charity P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery, paid tribute to Neil’s work and impact in a video produced to mark the award.
“Neil’s cases very often are those David v Goliath cases – cases that most lawyers would shy away from – but he gets stuck in, in order to get justice for his clients,” said Mr Turner.
“It’s not come easy, it has been with really hard work and commitment from Neil and his team.
“He is a genuine community person, he’s rooted in East Hull, and he does it because he genuinely cares about the organisations and the community that is proud to be part of.”
Adam Pearson said their friendship had developed over 10 years, becoming ‘hostile friends’ rather than enemies, given the rivalries between the city’s two rugby league clubs.
He paid tribute to Neil’s commitment to Hull Kingston Rovers, and the community.
“He’s had a huge investment, both emotionally and financially into the club for a very long time and he became a stronger person and made the club stronger,” he said.
“With Hull KR he’s also giving the East Hull community something to be proud of by allowing the development and growth of the club.”
Instrumental in charity’s formation
Paul Spence recalled how Neil had helped him establish his charity, which supports people who are recovering from brain injury, and how he had become a close friend over the years.
“When you have got somebody like Neil supporting you it gives you confidence in yourself,” he said.
“Neil was instrumental in the development of the charity, in helping us with a business plan for the NHS, helping us to register the charity and introducing me to local business people.
“We have become good friends, travelling the world together running marathons to raise money. He’s very funny, a good wind-up merchant, and a huge role model for me. I really look up to Neil and I am very thankful for the relationship I have with him.”
Reflecting on the award, Neil said: “I am humbled and honoured to receive this recognition. It is a testament to the wonderful people I surround myself with at Hudgells, our clients and our people and at Hull KR, in the boardroom, the offices, on the pitch and the terraces and beyond.”
Neil joins previous winners of the award including Malcolm Scott, Trevor Boanas, Andrew Horncastle, Lord Christopher Haskins, Simon Lunt and Paul Sewell.
Hudgell Solicitors has proudly supported hundreds of charities, local community groups and good causes through donations, fundraising and staff volunteering.