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Job Summary 

Longford Alpha is seeking an eager, coachable, intellectually curious, and hard-working individual who would be willing to assist Rick throughout this acquisition (Rick is willing to coach and provide the relevant know-how of the search environment, business fundamentals, investing and deal terms in the UK, as well as generally). This is a tremendous hands-on opportunity to work side by side on a real transaction where all work is useful and impactful towards the goal. This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from an investment professional, the ins and outs of deal making as well as investing in companies. 

This role is part of the Student Business Partnership (SBP) Scheme and offers 5-10 hours per week on a fully remote basis.  

With Rick’s direction, assist in the day-to-day tasks that are needed in the given moment including: 

  • Making changes to the deal pitch deck for lenders and equity investors 
  • Researching vital information that is then used for deal structuring, pitch-deck information, or modelling assumptions 
  • Helping to respond to queries and questions from outside parties such as solicitors, accountants, investors, and/or lenders 
  • Be encouraged to provide fresh insights about creative deal structuring and/or business fundamentals on the deal  
  • Help update and manage existing spreadsheets  

The role is fluid and can be as involved as the intern wants. Rick would greatly welcome their thoughts, input, and active participation in the process. 

 

Key Dates: 

 

Closing Date: 27/10/2025 

Interview Date: Week commencing 3 November 

Start Date: Immediate 

End Date: 20/12/2025 

 

Salary/Pay:  

£12.50 per hour 

 

Purpose of the Role 

Longford Alpha is a long-term oriented search fund investor-operator with the sole goal of buying and managing a small, high-quality UK business from retiring owners. Longford Alpha is managed by its principal – Rick Ashworth. The fund was set up as a self-funded search in 2024.  

The fund has recently signed a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) to potentially acquire a small business in the Auto Services industry (c. £250k EBITDA/Profit per annum). Rick is currently in the deal execution process and is looking for an intern to help out during this live transaction. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities  

Including but not limited to:

  • Making changes to the deal pitch deck for lenders and equity investors 
  • Researching vital information that is then used for deal structuring, pitch-deck information, or modelling assumptions 
  • Helping to respond to queries and questions from outside parties such as solicitors, accountants, investors, and/or lenders 
  • Be encouraged to provide fresh insights about creative deal structuring and/or business fundamentals on the deal  
  • Help update and manage existing spreadsheets  

 

Training and Development - What Skills and Experience will this Opportunity Provide? 

  • Research/project management experience 
  • Financial modelling skills 
  • Business fundamentals understanding 
  • Deal execution process understanding and experience 
  • Investing fundamentals 

 

Support Available 

  • Regular meetings with line manager, who will be readily available 
  • Coaching sessions with line manager 
  • Shadowing on calls and emails 

 

The Benefits 

  • Fully remote 
  • Discretionary bonus if intern stays through with the project to its end 
  • Reference 
  • Skills to take away to future roles in financial services such as investment banking, private equity, hedge funds and wealth management 

 

About You (Person Specification) 

 

Degree and Attainment  

Any welcome - You must be a current student at the University of Exeter for the duration of the role

 

Skills  

  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Must know and understand how to use Microsoft Office products such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel 

 

Personal Qualities and Attributes 

  • Driven 
  • Has initiative 
  • Personable 
  • Intellectually curious 
  • Hard-working 
  • Coachable 

 

Knowledge 

No specific knowledge required. Bonus if has had some experience in the Auto or Auto Services sector in the UK. 

 

Prior Experience  

No specific experience required.

 

About the Company 

Longford Alpha Ltd is a long-term oriented search fund investor-operator with the sole goal of buying and managing a small, high-quality UK business from retiring owners. Longford Alpha is managed by its principal – Rick Ashworth. The fund was set up as a self-funded search in 2024.  

 

Student Business Partnership (SBP) Scheme Requirements 

  • Applicants must have current student status or proof of an acceptance on a degree at the University of Exeter. 
  • Applicants must be a student for the full duration of the internship. 
  • The University of Exeter is committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity and inclusivity.   
  • The University of Exeter is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to attracting and recruiting people with disabilities and retaining and supporting staff with disabilities. If an applicant declares a disability and meets all the essential criteria, they will be invited to interview.  
  • We are committed to creating an inclusive culture and engage with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark) and LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion). 
  • We welcome applications from all eligible students and in particular those from underrepresented groups. Selection and recruitment itself will be based entirely on merit alone unless there are multiple applicants demonstrating equal merit. In this clear circumstance, preference would be shown to applicants from under-represented groups. This is in line with lawful positive action measures under sections 158 and 159 of the Equality Act 2010.  
  • All applicants are required to provide their employer with proof of their Right to Work in the UK before they start work and follow the Intern Guidance- Proving Right to Work the UK. 
  • All interns need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking this role. 
  • Undergraduate students can work a maximum of 15 hours per week in term-term or full-time hours in vacation. 
  • Full time Postgraduate students can work a maximum of 6 hours per week and no more than 180 hours per year, this includes those working already working as Postgraduate Teaching Assistants (PTA). You may work more hours with written permission from your academic. 
  • For further details on the Scheme eligibility, visit the university’s SBP page here. 

  

How to Apply 

  • Please download and complete the attached 2025-26 Internship Application Form and upload to the job on Handshake. Please make sure you have downloaded the latest copy of the Internship Application Form.  
  • Guidance and useful tips for completing your application are found on the Internship Application Form.  
  • Refer to the job details contained within the advert when writing your personal statement. 
  • Use the STAR approach to evidence each requirement in the Person Specification.  
  • You should insert the correct reference code on the application form: SBP 7956   
  • Please save your Internship Application Form as ‘your surname - your forename - SBP 7956’   
  • The University is a Disability Confident employer and as such this policy applies to recruitment through the Internship Schemes.  
  • Applicants who identify a disability on the application form will be offered an interview if their application demonstrates they meet the essential criteria. Please also include details of reasonable adjustments you may need for an interview or to undertake the role.  
  • You should explain why you would like to work for the employing organisation and why you think you would be a suitable candidate for this role.  

  

Further Guidance and Support 

  • You can refer to the My Career Zone Digital resources on application and interview preparation here.    
  • If you need support with your application, you can book an appointment with a Career Zone Advisor by emailing careers@exeter.ac.uk.  
  • Unless stated, interview expenses will not be paid. 
  • It is recommended that you check your online presence on social media to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants.  

If you have any questions, you can email the Internships Team at internships@exeter.ac.uk