Our Trustees
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John Sykes DBA (Hon)
Founder & Chair of Trustees
Born in Reading in June 1971, John attended Alfred Sutton School, before leaving to work at 16. John began his business journey at a young age, where from the age of 9 he was developing his business acumen, initially setting up the school’s first ever tuck shop. From here, his ideas and inspiration continued to grow with several successful businesses.
In the 90s, he acquired his first property asset of four apartments in Reading (still owned by the company today), before starting a successful property services business shortly afterwards. By 2014, the company had amassed a significant UK wide real estate portfolio, and after much careful thought and consideration, he founded the John Sykes Foundation. The investment vehicle, Sykes Capital, through which the real estate portfolio continues to grow, has now been passed over to, and is under the control of, the next generation.
John now spends the majority of his time on philanthropic matters through the John Sykes Foundation, is heavily motivated and influenced in his actions by his late father, and has an underlying passion for the town of Reading.
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Andrew Strong
Trustee
Andrew is the General Counsel of Sykes Capital and has worked closely alongside the Sykes Family since 2001, when they first met after Andrew applied for his first serious job at the age of 20. From here, Andrew quickly became a key individual within the Family's businesses and is their legal advisor on all personal and business activities.
Andrew is married and has two children. Outside of work his principal interest is road cycling where he regularly participates in endurance cycling events sometimes in excess of 250 miles in one day.
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Annabelle Sykes
Trustee
Born in Reading in September 2000, Annabelle is John’s eldest child who became a Trustee on her 18th Birthday. Annabelle is also a Director of Sykes Capital.
Like her siblings, she has been involved in charitable work from a young age thanks to being raised in a philanthropic environment. At the age of 14 she travelled through Mumbai, India on a project supporting local street children and has enthusiastically involved herself with the Foundation since it was formed in 2014. More recently, in 2025, Annabelle ran the London Marathon, the Goring Gap 50K Ultramarathon, and the Reading Half Marathon to fundraise for local Reading charities.
Outside of charity and business, Annabelle has a keen interest in sport and is an accomplished swimmer and water skier.
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Charlie Sykes
Trustee
Born in Reading in June 2002, Charlie is John’s second eldest child and became a Trustee on his 18th Birthday. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Sykes Capital, being greatly inspired by his Father.
Like his siblings, Charlie has been engaged in the Foundation from a very young age having also travelled through Mumbai in India supporting street children, learning about their way of life, and what he could do to help. Furthermore, one of Charlie’s first charitable activities was organising a Reading charity run when he was 13 years old.
Charlie is an accomplished private pilot, who first started learning how to fly at Blackbushe Airport when he was 14. He became FAA qualified in the USA at the age of 17, during which he completed multiple cross country solo flights.
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Jessica Sykes
Trustee
Born in Reading in April 2004, Jessica is John’s third child, who became a Trustee on her 18th Birthday. Jessica has a degree in Economics from the University of Bath, where she graduated in July 2026. Jessica now works in London for a global financial data and software company.
As with her siblings, Jessica was raised in a philanthropic environment and, at 10 years old, supported local street children and families in Mumbai, India. She is a focused individual and has a remarkable attention to detail.
In her spare time, Jessica enjoys all kinds of sporting activities, including horse-riding, water sports, and running.
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John Sykes Jnr
Trustee
Born in Reading in February 2008, John Jnr is our Founder's youngest child, who became a Trustee on his 18th Birthday. He attended Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning until June 2026.
John Jnr has been passionate about philanthropy from an early age, having travelled to and lived in multiple countries and experiencing different cultures across the world. John Jnr attended various local charity events and visits with his father in the years prior to his Trustee appointment, including to Sport in Mind, Whitley Amateur Boxing Club, Grassrootz Youth Clubs, Reading Family Aid, the Weller Centre, and Olly's Work. He is particularly passionate about supporting those less fortunate in our town.
Day to day, John Jnr is a well-regarded music producer, having made music for artists both locally in Reading and internationally.
