Jeff Bakes

In a time of uncertainty, as a profession we look to our Leaders to throw a light into darkness and take us forward. One of these leaders is Jeff Bakes, who in a career that spans the decades is still there leading from the front, now heading up Total Reward for IKEA in the UK and Ireland, working with HR colleagues, business leaders to make a positive difference to daily working life for employees and their families. Jeff thrives on the simple concept of “making a difference”; in a career that has literally spanned the globe, in some of the world’s most recognisable organisations, across multi business sectors. During that time he has won a number of major awards, is recognised as a thought leader in the Reward community, chaired and spoken at numerous reward meetings and today is leading on what is “new normal” for Reward in the post pandemic workspace. His career is characterised by those roles that require agility and drive. Formerly Head of Reward at Channel 4 Television, previously Global Reward Director at Willis Towers Watson and prior to that Head of Reward at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. He was Reward Leader at PwC, responsible for all aspects of reward in 32 European Countries. Earlier he was Head of Compensation and Benefits at Network Rail, where he implemented the most complete series of reward reforms in the history of that business. Prior to that he was Global Director of Total Rewards at A. P . Moller Mearsk, based in Copenhagen. Originally he began his career in BG plc, back in the 80’s, today, there are 100’s of Reward professionals across the globe, who thanks to his support, leadership and coaching “make a difference, and that continues with the next generation of reward professionals.