Check Out Chris Wakely's LinkedIn Stats (Last 30 Days)

Hello network ! Now I am running a home sale for collectors pieces of merchandise and have a range of top quality second hand merch available which all has exceptional pedigree - I believe in footballing terms it’s referred to as “match worn” which demands a higher price - let me know if you want a slice of Benify technology history to hang on your wall - all these items in some way have been worn and been involved with some of the worlds most sophisticated business projects - I am sure they will go fast ! (Maybe….) I am expecting this sale to beat the recent sale of Maradona’s World Cup winning shirt (I appreciate I am likely to be disappointed in this regard.)

There does seem to be much change in the air and some nostalgia and reflection to be had ! Now this one was taken at the Oriental Club in 2016 a few months (belated Xmas lunch…) before we sold Thomsons Online Benefits to Mercer and I have kept up with a few of you and can see some of you have been on some wonderful journeys as I have ! Hope you are all thriving out there Andrew Birch Paul Consterdine Laura Moniz de Aragão Jimmy Ryan Nick McClelland Matthew Wood with an absent Matt Johnson 🦙 !!

Well the time has come…. Here I am signing off in my now retro collector’s Benify Pitch hoodie ! After 7.5 years, a few million miles, thousands of demos and possibly one or two beers my Benify odyssey has come to an end. I am leaving the newly formed Benifex business in the very capable hands of benefits tech legend and expert Matt Macri-Waller and can’t wait to see how the business continues to evolve and grow ! Taking a Nordic centric business onto the world stage was a wild ride and I learnt so much. My promise to the founders was always to take them global and so that is the job done. I leave behind some amazing and wonderful clients and colleagues and wish you all every success in your future endeavours ! But now to look ahead and am very excited to join a rather wonderful financial wellness saas business called nudge founded and run by old colleagues Jeremy Beament and Tim Perkins ! I will be their new Chief Revenue Officer so shall be out there spreading the good word soon enough - I suspect more to follow on this topic….. For now though it is goodbye !

Not that you would guess it from my facial expression but is happiness defined as having a warm dog to stroke whilst one reviews the events of the day in the kitchen ? I am not sure about that second chin…… And yes this is a shameless animal photo on a business engagement platform.

If John le Carre wrote novels about espionage in the HR tech market !! Admittedly might not be a bestseller but this is a fascinating story about the 2 biggest growth players in our industry !

The below message dropped into my inbox today - I think this is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to a broken down old sales dog like me !! I cannot begin to explain still the power of the nice compliment to make someone’s day ! Something we should all remember !! No matter who someone is - everyone loves a sincere compliment ! (I hope this was sincere……) Michaelangelo…..! This is all true by the way….having someone else boast on your behalf is a wonderful if obvious way to avoid being labelled a total narcissist (maybe a partial one…) Hi Chris, Just wanted to say how much I appreciated working with you, not just for everything I learned about sales, but for the chance to get to know you and see your approach up close. At times, it honestly felt like working in Michelangelo's studio - you were the master craftsman, and I was lucky just to be learning in the room. You were hilarious, always full of stories and jokes, and you created such a fun and exciting atmosphere, whether it was treating us to food and drinks, inviting us to your mansion for team bonding, or just making the office feel like a good place to be (even when I accidentally stole your seat and nearly sparked a civil war!) Sorry I didn't get a chance to reach out before leaving, it all happened quite quickly. I took your advice and moved into payroll and I'm excited for what's ahead. Wishing you all the best and hopefully our paths cross again!