9 January 2024
Meet The Team – Will Sykes, Assistant Manager
As part of our ‘Meet the Team’ blog series, we spoke to Translink Corporate Finance UK Assistant Manager Will Sykes about his role at the firm, why he loves working here, his Translink highlight, his role model and his interests outside of work.
What is your role at Translink UK and when did you join?
After completing an internship in Summer 2018, I joined the firm full-time in July 2019. I am now an Assistant Manager at Translink Corporate Finance UK.
What is it about Translink UK that you love being a part of?
The team that we have at Translink is great, both in the UK and internationally.
We work together and liaise with colleagues worldwide on a daily basis, and it’s always great fun when we get together at the bi-annual director’s meetings.
I really value the level of support we receive from our international colleagues. Whether preparing for a pitch or working to get a deal over the line, the support we get is fantastic and makes a huge difference.
People at Translink genuinely care about their colleagues and the development of everybody within the team.
Can you tell us a bit more about your day-to-day job at the firm and what your responsibilities are?
My day-to-day job is really varied depending on the projects I am working on and the stages that they are at.
A typical day’s work could range from drafting an Information Memorandum, to supporting international Translink colleagues, to approaching and liaising with potential buyers, to supporting a client through the due diligence and legal process of a deal.
My favourite part of the role is meeting with the owners/managers of a wide variety of great SMEs and learning more about their businesses and their individual approach.
If you had to pick – what are your highlights and biggest achievements whilst working with Translink UK?
My biggest Translink highlight has to be working on the sale of Ortho-Care to Lifco which completed in October 2023.
It was the first transaction that I had been closely involved in from the initial kick-off meeting right through to completion.
They are a great client to work with and it was really satisfying to get them a fantastic result.
Do you have any role models and, if so, who and why?
My younger sister is a great role model for me. She is a nurse in the NHS and does an amazing job – it is not something that I could do.
She is incredibly resilient, particularly when dealing with challenging situations on a daily basis. She is really impressive and inspiring.
What advice would you give to your younger self when starting out in your career?
I would just say to find what it is you enjoy doing and then work hard at it.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I have got to the point in my life where running has become my entire personality – I think the team is often amazed by how much I am able to talk (and bore people) about it!
Other than running, I also enjoy watching cricket and football (Huddersfield Town) as well as trying out the different coffee shops in Leeds.
What is your favourite TV boxset or film?
It has to be something that will make me laugh – either Peep Show or The Office (UK).
What is your favourite restaurant to go to? Your favourite cuisine?
I have two favourite cuisines – Tapas and Thai. We are spoilt for great restaurants in Leeds but my favourite is La Taberna.
What/where is the best place you have ever visited and why? Where is your dream destination?
New Zealand is the best place I have visited. I love New Zealand’s beautiful countryside and amazing beaches. The people are also really friendly.
If you ever go, make sure to check out New Chums Beach!
My dream destination is Kenya – I would love to do a safari (and run) there.
