We’re thrilled to welcome Summer Bond to the team as our very first Operations Coordinator, whipping the LAVA team into shape and taking on some key strategic planning as she’s builds the operations function at LAVA from the ground up. With a background spanning multiple industries and a passion for client-centric work, she brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her new role.
Born in Tokyo and having lived in London, Athens, and Copenhagen before returning to the UK, Summer was exposed to diverse cultures from an early age. This global upbringing shaped her love for travel, trying new foods, and learning about different cultures, and she brings her adventurous spirit to everything she does.
Summer Bond, LAVA Operations Coordinator
Summer was fascinated by business from a young age, happily following her father to work whenever school holidays allowed and soaking up every piece of knowledge she could. After completing her A Levels, Summer dutifully filled out her uni applications, received her offers, and considered her options but just couldn’t wait any longer to join the world of work.
Embarking on an apprenticeship at just 18, Summer simultaneously studied for her project management qualifications while immersing herself in her work with the arts. Summer’s drive and enthusiasm ensured she was never short of progression opportunities, gradually taking on more responsibility during her time at Christie’s and driving broad organisational change.
Ever ambitious, Summer wanted to be more directly involved in the human side of business, and LAVA’s unique, personal approach to dealmaking presented the perfect opportunity:
M&A is such an exciting industry, and LAVA balances the complexity of the financial world with the very human aspects of dealmaking, by really listening to clients and understanding what they want and need for themselves and their businesses.
Summer Bond Operations Coordinator
After such a strong period of growth for the firm, LAVA had recognised the need for additional support across both everyday activities, and future growth opportunities, and Summer’s innate organisational abilities and stakeholder management skills meant she was the perfect choice.
It’s great to welcome Summer to the team, LAVA’s grown so much in recent months and having someone dedicated to optimising our operations and helping to drive our key strategic initiatives is a really exciting step forward.
Simon Woodcock Partner
Beyond work, Summer is an avid runner and sports enthusiast. Having completed her first 10K at 17 for Cancer Research, she’s now training for her first half marathon, and hopes to join the LAVA team at a full marathon next year! She also loves playing tennis with friends, trying new restaurants (with Japanese cuisine as a firm favourite), and travelling as much as possible.
Joining the LAVA team marks an exciting new chapter in Summer’s career and the achievement of a key goal she set for herself, to secure a permanent role she could truly get her teeth into, taking forward everything she’s learned from previous experiences to make a real impact.
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