Remembering Chris Johnson
It is with great sadness that we share our condolences on the passing of much valued colleague, friend and Praxity ambassador, Chris Johnson. Chris was a much-valued member of PM+M for 26 years, having joined the firm as an apprentice in July 2000 at just 16 years old. It was his first interview, his first job and, as it turned out, the only employer he would ever have. During his career he qualified as a Chartered Accountant, became the youngest Partner in PM+M’s history and played an important role in shaping the business.
Many of the Praxity community will remember Chris from conferences, meetings and events held across the UK and around the world. Over the years he proudly represented PM+M in Rome, Florida, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and many other locations. Wherever he went, he embraced the opportunity to connect with people, share ideas and build relationships.
Chris embraced everything that Praxity stood for. He valued the opportunity to learn from others, share ideas and support clients internationally, but what he enjoyed most was getting to know people. He never saw networking as a business exercise. He simply enjoyed getting to know people, understanding their challenges and finding ways to help. As a result, he built lasting relationships with colleagues across the Praxity alliance, many of whom have since shared messages of support, memories and condolences following his passing. Anyone who knew Chris through Praxity will remember his enthusiasm for getting involved. He embraced both the professional and social side of alliance conferences, building friendships wherever he went. Whether it was a working party session, an evening gathering or a fancy dress theme that called for cowboy boots and a costume, he took it all in good spirits and helped make events memorable for those around him.
That sense of fun was matched by genuine warmth. Chris built lasting friendships throughout the alliance and was a familiar face to many Praxity firms. Since hearing the news of his passing, the PM+M team have been deeply moved by the number of messages they have received from across the Praxity community. The stories shared come from different countries and different years, but the themes are remarkably consistent: kindness, humour, generosity, professionalism and an unwavering ability to make people feel welcome.
Professionally, Chris was highly respected for his technical expertise and commercial insight. He worked with many international businesses and was a passionate advocate for the opportunities that Praxity created for clients and member firms alike. He understood that successful international business is built on trusted relationships, and he took great pride in connecting people and helping others succeed.
For many of us, however, it is not the conferences, presentations or business discussions that will be remembered most. It is the laughter over dinner, the stories shared between conference sessions, the fancy-dress costumes, the friendships formed across borders and the enthusiasm Chris brought to every event he attended. Chris Johnson. PM+M Partner. Colleague. Friend. Praxity ambassador. 💙