18 November 2025
In our latest ‘Meet the Team’ blog, we spoke with Henry Johnson who is an Analyst in our Transaction Services team.
As well as discussing his day-to-day role, Henry shares practical advice for trainees starting in the industry and talks through his thoughtful, detail-focused approach to his work.
Henry also highlights the strong support he’s received from the Translink team as he works towards becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Can you describe your role and the key responsibilities that come with it?
I am an Analyst in the Transaction Services team at Translink. The main area of our work is providing financial due diligence on behalf of larger corporates, private equity and debt providers who are looking to acquire or provide funding to a business (‘target’ business).
Most of what I do involves analysing the financials of target businesses, gaining an understanding in how they perform, and providing useful insights to our clients so they have all the information they need to make investment/funding decisions.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
A typical day usually involves working through a combination of Excel analysis and writing up sections of reports, often switching between tasks depending on what’s going on in a project.
We work very collaboratively so there are lots of opportunities to work closely with colleagues at all levels, and I will often join calls with clients or targets to gather context or talk through findings.
What’s the one must-do activity that you do every day?
I like to spend 10 – 15 minutes at the end of the day planning what I have coming up the following day, whilst it is fresh in my mind. I find it helps me map out what needs doing ahead of time, as days can soon fill up with calls or last-minute tasks.
Working in the deals environment is very fast paced and priorities can change quickly, so it pays to be organised and on top of things!
What do you like about working at Translink?
The work is very interesting and varied and I have exposure to lots of different businesses and industries. No two projects are quite the same.
My team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive since I started in September striking a good balance between giving me early responsibility and providing me with guidance when needed.
The team and wider firm are very understanding when it comes to my ACA (Chartered Accountant) qualification. They give me lots of encouragement, provide me with plenty of study support, and consider my exams when planning workloads.
Day to day I am involved in working on live deals for clients and this real-life experience is invaluable in helping me understand the topics in the classroom.
What skills or qualities do you think are essential for someone to excel in a corporate finance role?
A strong grasp of accounting and finance is important, but so is being able to think critically, spot trends, and understanding what is driving the numbers from a commercial or economic perspective. Communication skills also go a long way – being able to explain findings clearly and handling sensitive conversations professionally is essential, whether with clients, targets or other advisors.
What advice would you give to trainees starting out?
Before any meeting, even a quick internal one, take five minutes to think through what you need to say or ask; it helps you be prepared and to add value, and saves time for everyone. As well as this, always keep a notepad with a list of all the things you are working on. I find it is the best way to stay on top of your commitments and not let things get ahead of you.
What are some of the most challenging aspects of your job, and how do you overcome them?
It can feel like there is a lot to learn at once, especially when deals move quickly, but the team are always open to questions, and once you get into the rhythm of things, it all starts to click. Taking ownership of smaller tasks early on helped me build confidence without becoming overwhelmed.
Can you share an example of a successful project or deal that you’ve worked on?
I now have enough experience to take on sections of reports and see them develop as I contribute and work on them. We work with a large variety of clients so I have already been involved in deals with large corporates (both UK and cross border), private equity and debt funds.
Our overarching role is to ensure our client goes into their deal with their ‘eyes wide open’ and fully aware of risks that need to be protected against as well as the potential upside. The first deal that I worked on sticks in my memory as it was a large cross border acquisition – so a complicated one to start with!
When a deal completes it’s fantastic to see all parties, principals and advisors, rewarded for their hard work. Being trusted to contribute from the outset has been a great way to learn and get involved.
What motivates you most in your work, and how do you ensure you continue to deliver value to your clients?
It’s great to know that what I am doing feeds into our overall advice to our clients and has a genuine impact on their decision making. I try to stay focused on the purpose behind each task, ensuring the analysis addresses the client’s core questions and concerns.
What’s one thing you learned in school that has stuck with you?
One thing I learned at school that I can appreciate now is the value of taking your time to get things right. In this role, the detail really matters and the work we do feeds directly into big decisions (with some large amounts of money at stake!).
By the time our work reaches the client, it needs to be spot on – so taking the time to ensure accuracy often saves more time in the long run.
Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time? Do you have any hobbies or interests?
I enjoy playing golf – enthusiastically, if not expertly! I also like to try new restaurants and catching up with friends.
What’s the biggest thing on your bucket list?
I would love to play Augusta one day, however, given my current handicap, a more realistic choice would be a trip to the Norwegian fjords to see the Northern Lights!
