“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

So... Today is officially my last working day at Practice Ignition.

For the TL: DR people:

• Today is my last day at Practice Ignition (After 3.5 years in the business)
• Melissa and I are moving back to the USA (via Australia) we fly back to Sydney December 14th and we’ll be in AUS for 3+ months.
• I’ve taken a new global leadership role with a business still within the accounting industry. (Announced early 2021.. sorry for the teaser)
• You'll get to hear about the new role in January and what I'll be focused on!
• I'm taking a 6-week break between now and then so I may be slow to respond! Sorry in advance

You're still here? Perfect! Let me break it all down for you in detail.

After three and a half years it is time to hang up the astronaut suit as I step into the next phase of my career. I wanted to take this time to reflect, thank my team, our customers and give you an insight into what's next for Team Mclaren.

Let me first start by saying that joining the Practice Ignition rocketship has been a truly rewarding experience that I'll cherish forever. I'm leaving this business on a positive and I wish nothing but the best and future success to my teammates and to the Practice Ignition community of customers and partners.

My decision to leave PI wasn’t an easy one. If anything, it’s something I’d never really comprehended. I can imagine a #PI4LYFE tattoo embossed on a rocket ship or a “Trash Panda” (inside joke) somewhere on my calf. Now whilst it’s very unlikely I’ll ever get the tattoo, in my head it’ll always be there and that speaks volumes to the memories and friendships I’ve made with this business that will stay with me for life.

I'm truly in awe of everything we've been able to achieve during my time at PI.

Working in a startup (like PI) is like taking an intense hands-on apprenticeship in being an entrepreneur, multiply that by 3 when it's a global business, with customers in 5 timezones. It’s ALOT!

Imagine trying to swim in the ocean against the current with no hands, just using your legs to kick and keep your head above water. It's an intense way of working - However, the rewards are immense. By the end of the journey, you've got incredibly good looking legs and incredible stamina.

At this stage, I feel like a swiss army knife of getting IT done! Give me a multi-layered campaign involving multiple partners, across multiple functions of the business on a tight timeline with no budget and limited resources. Bring it on! I've loved every minute of this type of work and feel well equipped to take on the world in a new role and a new company.

I'd love to thank Guy & Dane, the OG crew and the wider leadership team. What a ride. Thank you for letting me take part in your idea and for allowing me to have the impact I've had on the business. I'd do it all over again and wouldn't change a thing if I had the chance.

To the wider PI team. You're a bunch of legends and I'm so honored to be able to call you my teammates. You genuinely care about the business, our customers, and the product. You're an asset and the original dream-team. PI is so lucky to have you and I look forward to seeing you continue on this trajectory with great success. (I'm available to chat and help anytime you need - you know how to reach me!)

A huge shout out to all the partners in the ecosystem that I’ve had the pleasure of working with all over the world. I’ve appreciated every chat, slack message, twitter banter & copious amounts of pints and good food. I look forward to working with you all again in my next role!

Lastly but most importantly. The real MVP in this story is my wife Melissa. You've come on every adventure with me and thankful I get to share the front row with you every single time! You're an absolute dream-boat and can't wait for what 2021 holds for us both!

I'm excited to announce that sometime in January... I'll be telling you all about my next role in the accounting industry. (Apologies for the teaser! But please stay tuned and I can't wait to tell you all about it in early 2021).

So today is my last day at Practice Ignition and tomorrow will be my first day of a 6-week break. In which I'll be moving back to Australia for 3+ months before we re-locate to the USA with my new role!

Until then... stay safe, stay healthy, bring on the vaccine!! And I'll see you all again down-under! A few snaps of the good times to follow! From the early days til now!

The OG Crew Down-Under! I remember when we were this big 2 Christmases ago!

One of the many many trips, to another beach in another city! This time in Perth, Australia.

My first time down Oxford Street (UK) repping and rocking PI! The start of the London adventure!

Our first Xerocon UK #Precon party November 2019!

Our South African office launch! Climbing (Crawling) up the Lion's Head! Feb 2020 (Pre-COVID!)

And finally.. this was me (Last night) first pint after lockdown celebrating Accountex's latest Virtual Summit in partnership with Practice Ignition.

Thanks for the good times! Many many more to come - I promise! Look forward to seeing you all again soon! I won't be too far away!