Sayjon Ariyarathnam

Sayjon specializes in the intricacies of commercial lending, navigating through the complexities of both domestic and international debt financing, asset-based lending, and acquisition financing within the financial sector. His expertise encompasses aiding both lenders and borrowers in a variety of transactions, whether secured or unsecured, including bilateral and syndicated loan structures.

His proficiency spans multiple sectors, including mining, finance and insurance, real estate financing, and transportation, where he has successfully guided clients through their financing needs.

Since his initial summer stint with Blakes in 2018, followed by his completion of articles in the 2020/2021 cycle, Sayjon has been instrumental in several key projects. These include orchestrating asset-based financing for the acquisition of RONA Inc. by Sycamore Partners from Lowe's Companies Inc., facilitating refinancing for a real estate development fund, assisting goeasy Ltd. with securing a C$270-million credit facility, and arranging the asset-based financing for a major Canadian toll bridge project.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Sayjon was honored as one of York University's Top 30 Alumni Under 30 in 2022, a testament to his leadership and innovative approach to creating significant, positive change in his field.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sayjon is actively involved in his community, serving on the board of directors for the Community Legal Clinic of York Region, further showcasing his commitment to making a difference.

Sayjon holds an MBA and JD from Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business at York University, as well as a BA (Hon.) from York University, solidifying his foundation in both the legal and business aspects of finance. His areas of practice include Asset-Based Finance, Debt Finance & Lending, and Financial Services, with a sector focus on Banking.