London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Feb 09, 2026

Britain's 'best boss' gives workers the Monday off after historic England final

Britain's 'best boss' gives workers the Monday off after historic England final

Chris Donnelly, 30, has told his 65 members of staff at Verb Brands not to go to work after the historic match against Italy, regardless of the result. He was declared Britain's Best Boss in April

Britain's 'best boss' has given his staff Monday off after the government refused to promise a last-minute Bank Holiday if England win Euro 2020.

Chris Donnelly, 30, told his 65 workers not to go to work after the historic match against Italy - regardless of the result.

The chief executive of digital marketing firm Verb Brands described the match as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for England and he wants his employees to enjoy it.

He said: "This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity when it comes to England and I want everyone to enjoy it. Besides, this is about staff welfare.

Chris announced his decision on LinkedIn


"With all the stress of the game there will be enough to worry without the thought of work the next day too."

Chris was declared Britain's Best Boss in April when he gave everyone a day off on full pay to go to the pub as bars and shops reopened.

His England LinkedIn post generated more than 1,000 likes as he called for the government to consider an extra Bank Holiday if England win the historic match.

The England team could bring football home this weekend


Chris's post read: "I am giving everyone Monday off work.

"History is being made and it's only right that everyone gets to witness it - without having to think about work the next day.

"This is about more than just football.

"It's about spending time with our favourite people, feeling a real sense of national pride and having something genuinely brilliant to celebrate.

The England team celebrating their victory against Denmark on Tuesday


"Whether you like football or not, another day to spend with friends or family after the year we have just had is essential.

"I think other companies should follow suit and wouldn't it be amazing if the government did too!

"I hope the team enjoy their time off !!"

Boris Johnson has been tight-lipped about committing to an official public holiday in England win.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said: “I think that would be tempting fate - let’s see what happens.”

England will face Italy on Sunday


Today, Labour Leader Keir Starmer has backed demands for a bank holiday if the Three Lions triumph over Italy.

Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "The whole country is incredibly proud of what Gareth Southgate and our England heroes have achieved already. History has been made.

"If we win on Sunday, the country should get the chance to celebrate it properly with an extra bank holiday, granted in the name of the England team.

"I’ve got a strong feeling it’s coming home."

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady added: “If England bring it home on Sunday, government should allow the country to celebrate by announcing a special bank holiday.

“But it can’t just be a one off. UK workers get fewer bank holidays than most of our European counterparts. The TUC has long called for more public holidays. So come on England!”

The Mirror understands the government is looking at the idea of a bank holiday, or day of national celebration, if England win.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
China and UK Signal Tentative Reset with Commitment to Steadier, Professionally Managed Relations
UK Confirms Imminent Increase in ETA Fee to £20 as Entry Rules Tighten
UK Signals Possible Seizure of Russia-Linked ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker in Escalation of Sanctions Enforcement
Epstein Scandal Piles Unprecedented Pressure on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Leadership
UK’s ‘Most Romantic Village’ Celebrates Valentine’s Day and Explores the Festival’s Rich History
The Implications of Expanding Voting Rights to Non-EU Foreign Residents in France
Ghislaine Maxwell to Testify Before US Congress on February 9
Al.com Acquired by Crypto.com Founder for $70 Million
Apple iPhone Lockdown Mode blocks FBI data access in journalist device seizure
Belgium: Man Charged with Rape After Faking Payment to Sex Worker
KPMG Urges Auditor to Relay AI Cost Savings
US and Iran to Begin Nuclear Talks in Oman
Winklevoss-Led Gemini to Slash a Quarter of Jobs and Exit European and Australian Markets
Canada Opens First Consulate in Greenland Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
China unveils plans for a 'Death Star' capable of launching missile strikes from space
NASA allows astronauts to take smartphones on upcoming missions to capture special moments.
Trump administration to launch TrumpRx.gov for direct drug purchases
Investigation Launched at Winter Olympics Over Ski Jumpers Injecting Hyaluronic Acid
U.S. State Department Issues Urgent Travel Warning for Citizens to Leave Iran Immediately
Wall Street Erases All Gains of 2026; Bitcoin Plummets 14% to $63,000
Epstein Case Documents Reignite Global Scrutiny of Political and Business Elites
Eighty-one-year-old man in the United States fatally shoots Uber driver after scam threat
UK Royal Family Faces Intensifying Strain as Epstein-Linked Revelations Rock the Institution
Political Censorship: French Prosecutors Raid Musk’s X Offices in Paris
AI Invented “Hot Springs” — Tourists Arrived and Were Shocked
Tech Mega-Donors Power Trump-Aligned Fundraising Surge to $429 Million Ahead of 2026 Midterms
UK Pharma Watchdog Rules Sanofi Breached Industry Code With RSV Vaccine Claims Against Pfizer
Melania Documentary Opens Modestly in UK with Mixed Global Box Office Performance
Starmer Arrives in Shanghai to Promote British Trade and Investment
Harry Styles, Anthony Joshua and Premier League Stars Among UK’s Top Taxpayers
New Epstein Files Include Images of Former Prince Andrew Kneeling Over Unidentified Woman
Starmer Urges Former Prince Andrew to Testify Before US Congress About Epstein Ties
Starmer Extends Invitation to Japan’s Prime Minister After Strategic Tokyo Talks
Skupski and Harrison Clinch Australian Open Men’s Doubles Title in Melbourne
DOJ Unveils Millions of Epstein Files, Fueling Global Scrutiny of Elite Networks
France Begins Phasing Out Zoom and Microsoft Teams to Advance Digital Sovereignty
China Lifts Sanctions on British MPs and Peers After Starmer Xi Talks in Beijing
Trump Nominates Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair to Reorient U.S. Monetary Policy Toward Pro-Growth Interest Rates
AstraZeneca Announces £11bn China Investment After Scaling Back UK Expansion Plans
Starmer and Xi Forge Warming UK-China Ties in Beijing Amid Strategic Reset
Tech Market Shifts and AI Investment Surge Drive Global Innovation and Layoffs
Markets Jolt as AI Spending, US Policy Shifts, and Global Security Moves Drive New Volatility
U.S. Signals Potential Decertification of Canadian Aircraft as Bilateral Tensions Escalate
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee Sentenced to 20 Months for Bribery
Tesla Ends Model S and X Production and Sends $2 Billion to xAI as 2025 Revenue Declines
China Executes 11 Members of the Ming Clan in Cross-Border Scam Case Linked to Myanmar’s Lawkai
Trump Administration Officials Held Talks With Group Advocating Alberta’s Independence
Starmer Signals UK Push for a More ‘Sophisticated’ Relationship With China in Talks With Xi
Shopping Chatbots Move From Advice to Checkout as Walmart Pushes Faster Than Amazon
Starmer Seeks Economic Gains From China Visit While Navigating US Diplomatic Sensitivities
×