We’re so pleased to announce the promotion of the fabulous Summer Bond to the position of Operations Associate after just eight months with the firm. From the moment she joined us in February, Summer hit the ground running as our very first Operations Coordinator. She dived straight into identifying areas of improvement for LAVA’s operations and processes, immediately taking ownership of our client and partner database, training the team in how to make the most of it, and driving uptake to streamline client contact. She also audited and reviewed our physical operations, managing the relationships with our existing providers and launching and owning a project to assess our office strategy, comparing and contrasting options, and forecasting future needs to provide a robust model for sustainable growth.
One of the very first projects Summer took on was managing the complex and lengthy B Corp recertification. With the process kicking off in early March, she’s driven every step of the verification and review requirements, gathering data and input from relevant stakeholders, and carefully documenting our progress across multiple interconnected areas. Six months of hard work and impeccable organisation culminated in our fantastic score increase of 37%, testament to the LAVA team’s dedication to using business as a force for good.
Summer has also put her extensive project management skills to excellent use for a number of events, including our birthday party, liaising with suppliers and handling invitations and responses across hundreds of points of contact to make sure we could celebrate 5 years of LAVA with so many of our fantastic partners. She’s also been instrumental in the planning and delivery of residential training events, away days and team socials, gathering quotes and comparing options, and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders to deliver a great result.
I knew joining LAVA would give me a unique opportunity to explore a range of business areas and learn a whole host of new skills, but I had no idea just how rewarding it would be. I’m beyond thrilled to have made such progress so soon, and I don’t think it would have been possible without the incredible culture we’ve built and nurtured. The team’s constant support and proactive feedback have given me real confidence to take risks, make changes and have a real hand in driving LAVA forward.
Summer Bond Operations Associate
Summer isn’t just a logistical legend and smooth operator, she’s also a joy to have on the team and a key figure in embracing and embodying the LAVA culture and values. Her seamless handling of every aspect of LAVA life has offloaded a huge amount of complexity from the deal team, allowing their full focus and immense technical skill to be fully dedicated to our clients.
At LAVA, we never just stick to the industry script, hiring the same CV on repeat. Instead, we look outside the usual parameters, valuing real-world talent, keen ambition, and a diverse perspective that brings something new to the LAVA team. Summer’s incredible progress is testament to that approach, and demonstrates that coming from outside the world of M&A doesn’t need to be a setback. Instead, it can be an exciting opportunity to shape a role, and a career, that’s really you.
