A young CEO is being hailed as potentially the UK's best boss after spending an astonishing £100,000 on Christmas gifts and celebrations for his employees.
The Santa Leslie Incentive
Benjy Leslie, the 26-year-old founder and CEO of Connect Management, runs a unique pre-Christmas incentive called 'Santa Leslie'. Each day, the employee and salesperson of the day get to choose a lavish present. The incredible haul of gifts this year included a £44,000 Range Rover Evoque, a fully-paid trip to Barcelona, the latest iPhones and iPads, and high-end Ninja kitchen gadgets.
Remarkably, the luxury car was won by a team member who had only been with the company for four months. Videos of the surprise show her delighted colleagues cheering and screaming as the vehicle was driven out.
More Than Just Presents
Leslie's festive generosity extended beyond individual gifts. He also treated his entire team to a two-day Christmas retreat at a mansion, complete with sports activities and an awards ceremony. In a charitable twist, the staff participated in a 90-second supermarket sweep at Aldi, with all the grabbed goods being donated to a local food bank.
"That was one of my favourite parts," Leslie said. "Giving back is what this is all about." The London-based boss, from Willesden, believes strongly in sharing success. He quit his advertising job in 2019, founded Connect Management in 2020, and has run this gift initiative for three consecutive years, significantly increasing the budget from £20,000 last year.
A Philosophy of Generosity
For Leslie, this extraordinary expenditure is rooted in a clear business and personal philosophy. He dedicates around 10% of the company's profit margin to employee wellbeing, arguing it is key to success, particularly for younger workers.
"We want people to work hard, but creating the right environment helps people thrive," he explained. "The happier the staff are, the better the workflow and work ethic is." He emphasises that rewards at his firm are not based on seniority or tenure, but on daily effort: "It's about turning up to work every day and giving it your all."
The generosity has also had a tangible commercial benefit. Viral videos of the giveaways have garnered over 50,000 shares online, attracting new clients and significant engagement. "In a way, I almost see it as a marketing cost – even though it’s really for my staff," Leslie admitted.
Calls for Change and Future Plans
Leslie did highlight a significant barrier for other employers wishing to replicate his approach: UK tax rules. Employers can only spend £350 per employee tax-free; anything above that is taxed at 40%. "This limits what employers can do," he stated, calling for regulatory change to make rewarding staff easier.
Despite the hefty price tag, Leslie has no intention of stopping. He hopes to inspire other business leaders, citing the example of online philanthropist MrBeast. "If you treat people well, they’ll work harder for you, and everyone wins," he concluded, determined to continue his tradition of festive giving.
