Our Trustees
Show less
John Sykes DBA (Hon)
Founder & Chair of Trustees
Born in Reading in June 1971, John attended Alfred Sutton school, before leaving school to work at 16. John began his business dealings 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, who 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.
Show less
Andrew Strong
Trustee
Andrew is the General Counsel of Sykes Capital Ltd 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 become a key individual within the Family's trading businesses and is their legal advisor on all their personal and business activities.
Andrew is married and has two children, James and Katie. 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.
Show less
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 the Chief Executive Officer of Sykes Capital Ltd.
Like her siblings, she has involved herself in charitable work from a young age having been brought up 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.
Annabelle has a keen interest in sport, is an accomplished swimmer and water skier. However, her passion is running where she competes in long distance road running and triathlon events.
Show less
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 also the Investment Director of Sykes Capital Ltd, 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, India supporting street children; learning about their way of life and what he could do to help. Furthermore, Charlie organised a Reading charity run in 2015.
Charlie is an accomplished private pilot, who first started learning how to fly at Blackbushe Airport when he was 14. He become FAA qualified at the age of 17, during which he completed multiple cross country solo flights.
Show less
Jessica Sykes
Trustee
Born in Reading in April 2004, Jessica is John’s third child, who became a Trustee on her 18th Birthday. Jessica also studies Economics at the University of Bath.
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 horse-riding, water sports, and design.
