Gavin Chimes Fears Mediocrity and Swears That Spiders Are Getting Bigger

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Gavin Chimes’ biggest fear is spiders, “and I swear that they are getting better.” If you poke a little further, however, his fear of mediocre work outweighs that of the eight-legged insect. 

In August 2024, Gavin was appointed CCO at Howatson+Co, after three years as ECD. While this appointment was a highlight for 2024, it was the birth of his second daughter that took the prize for best moment of the year. 

It also made him realise how challenging new roles can be. His toughest challenge in 2024 remains for 2025, trying to be the best version of himself in both roles: dad, and creative leader. 

“When I’m home, I want to be all-in as a dad [and] husband,” he says. 

“When I’m at work, I want to be all-in as a creative leader. Yet occasionally the pressure of life and deadlines force these boundaries to be blurred. And it can feel like I’m not performing at either. Fortunately, I have an incredible wife who is there to back me up when needed.”

Looking ahead to 2025, he’s most looking forward to continuing to blend work and home: finishing the renovations on his home, while grabbing H+Co opportunities with both hands.   

“We have some incredible partners in new and existing clients,” he says. “People with ambition to transform their brands, businesses and shape culture. 

“And the work we’re developing with them is incredibly exciting. Ideas of different shapes and sizes that will make an impact. I can’t wait to share them with the world.” 

He has described the first four years of H+Co as ‘fantastic’ but is worried about complacency. “We need to keep pushing boundaries, make people think, ‘what will they do next?’” 

That’s why mediocrity is at the top of Gavin’s professional fears list this year. Given H+Co’s run of work since its conception in 2020 and the most recent Myer win, he likely doesn’t have much to worry about. 

Keeping some bug spray nearby might be handy though…