This summer, Barrons Corporate Finance has welcomed three interns into the team, giving them the opportunity to gain genuine, hands-on experience of working within the world of mergers and acquisitions.
Will Russell, Harry Saunders and Grace Morley have each joined Barrons at very different stages in their education and careers, but with one thing in common: an ambition to build their knowledge and experience within corporate finance.
Rather than simply observing the Corporate Finance team, all three interns have been actively involved in live work throughout the summer.
Working closely with David, Managing Director of Barrons Corporate Finance, and Corey, Associate, they have gained exposure to areas including deal origination, company and sector research, valuation work, financial analysis, sell-side mandates and the preparation of client and marketing materials.
Learning from the Corporate Finance team
Corporate Finance internship is designed to give young people a genuine insight into the industry, with opportunities to contribute to real work, develop practical skills and learn directly from an experienced team.
Looking to the future
Each of the interns has joined Barrons at a different stage in their career, but all have gained valuable experience of working within Corporate Finance.
Returning for a second summer – Will Russell
Will Russell returned to Barrons Corporate Finance in June 2026 for his second summer internship with the team.
Currently a third-year student at the University of Lincoln, Will has built on the experience gained during his previous internship and taken on an increasingly active role within the Corporate Finance team.
Throughout the summer, he has worked on deal origination, market research and analysis relating to live sell-side mandates.
Will has also been able to combine his interest in finance with the marketing knowledge gained at university, contributing to Information Memorandums, teasers and wider marketing materials for Barrons Corporate Finance.
His second internship has given him the opportunity to continue developing his understanding of the M&A process while contributing directly to ongoing projects.
Following his final year at university, Will plans to begin a career within financial services.
Starting early – Harry Saunders
At the other end of the educational journey is Harry Saunders, a final-year sixth form student at Westcliff Grammar.
Harry first joined Barrons Corporate Finance for a week of work experience. Following a successful week with the team, he was invited back to complete a four-week summer internship.
While studying Economics, Mathematics and Psychology, Harry has already developed a strong interest in the financial sector.
His time at Barrons has allowed him to gain experience in research and deal origination while developing practical skills in areas including financial analysis and Excel.
More importantly, Harry has been able to see first-hand how a Corporate Finance team operates and how individual pieces of analysis and research contribute to a wider transaction.
Harry intends to study Economics and Finance at university, with ambitions to eventually pursue a career within investment banking and private equity.
Putting academic knowledge into practice – Grace Morley
Grace Morley joined Barrons Corporate Finance in June following an outstanding academic achievement.
Graduating from the London Institute of Banking & Finance with a First-Class Honours degree in Banking and Finance, Grace ranked at the top of her cohort.
Her internship has provided the opportunity to put the Corporate Finance principles and valuation techniques developed during her degree into a live commercial environment.
Grace has been involved in deal origination, sector research and the development of targeted approach lists for active sell-side mandates.
She has also worked on detailed valuation documents and supported the creation of client presentations relating to EMI schemes.
The experience has allowed Grace to see how the theory behind areas such as valuation translates into the day-to-day work involved in advising SME and owner-managed businesses.
Following six months of international travel, Grace plans to pursue a career within the City.
It’s been great having Will, Harry and Grace as part of the team this summer, and we look forward to seeing where their careers take them next.
