CALC is pleased to announce appointments of four senior executives to strengthen its professional senior team of international caliber. The continued build-out of the Company's commercial and financial leadership is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen CALC’s strategic presence in key markets around the world. The four senior executives are expected to help the Group tap opportunities afforded by recovery of the aviation industry in the post-pandemic period, and further progressing towards its goal of becoming a world-leading aviation asset manager.
The four new joiners include:
1. Appointment of Mr. Richard Wall as Chief Technical Officer, with effect since 1 March 2022
Richard is a top-notch aviation professional with over 40 years of experience in civil aviation and extensive experience and knowledge in aeronautical engineering and business management. He had been serving SMBC Aviation Capital since 2006, leading the EMEA & Americas based Technical Asset Management teams to manage over 250 aircraft assets and transactions. Richard will succeed Mr. David Morris who is approaching his retirement age and will be stepping down from his full-time role, and be responsible for the Group’s technical and asset management operations, reporting directly to Group CEO. Mr. Morris, meanwhile, will remain with the Company as Director of the Group’s Irish subsidiary CALC Global Leasing Limited.
2. Appointment of Mr. Luis Ayala as Chief Development Officer, with effect since 1 Feb 2022
Luis has close to 30 years of experience in commercial air transport and has extensive experiences in strategic planning, business development, process improvement, project management and aviation finance, with a proven track record in managing over 150 aircraft amounting to US$3 billion throughout his career. He was previously Managing Director of GA Telesis Asset Transaction Group. He also founded three aviation service companies. Earlier, he also served director-level sales positions in several aircraft leasing companies in the United States and has established extensive relationships with world’s leading airlines and financial institutions. Luis is assisting CEO, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of CALC in aviation aftermarket businesses including acquisitions, financing, trading, leasing, and disposal of the Group's aircraft, engines and aviation components, and helping identify opportunities in the aviation aftermarket.
3. Appointment of Mr. Donald Liu as Deputy Chief Commercial Officer, Greater China, with effect since 1 March 2022
Donald has over 25 years of experience in engine and aviation aftermarket businesses and aircraft leasing business development. He has accumulated a robust track record in new engine business for over 200 aircraft, valued in excess of US$10 billion in aggregate. He was previously Deputy General Manager of Sichuan Haite High-tech Co., Ltd. (002023.SZ) and Head of its aircraft leasing division. Prior to this, he served as Customer Business Director in International Aero Engines, China and Sales Director, Aftermarket of Safran Group in China. He is providing assistance to Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer in managing the Group’s China sales team and expand its aviation full value chain business in the Greater China region.
4. Appointment of Mr. George Ren as Managing Director, Corporate Finance, with effect since 7 February 2022
George has been serving in international financial institutions for almost two decades, with extensive experience in financial products, syndicated bank loans and structured financing. He has arranged over US$30 billion of financing including numerous Corporate Finance and Capital Market transactions throughout his banking career. He had served in Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited for 15 years in various positions including Managing Director, Head of Greater Bay Area, Global Banking and Head of Client Solution Team, China Corporates etc. Before this, he served various positions for Fortis and its subsidiaries. George is leading CALC in equity and debt financing projects in HK and Mainland China, and communications with financial institutions, investors and credit rating agencies, etc.
Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Mike Poon, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CALC, said, "CALC has been building up our muscles persistently to enhance its fleet upgrade capabilities and global presence by introducing more professional managers to help us proactively capture the opportunities in the post-epidemic era. The new joiners are benchmarks of best practices in our industry and they share the same vision of bringing the value of CALC’s ESG fleet upgrade solutions in supporting a sustainable aviation industry. They have strong track records in leading high-growth enterprises in international expansion with their visions and insights. We are all set to sharpen further CALC’s edges in our home market in China, while expanding our global footholds, generating better value and return for all stakeholders."
Ms. Winnie Liu, Executive Director, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of CALC, said, “CALC has achieved remarkable development of our aftermarket services over these past few years amid the pandemic, thanks to the innovation and perseverance of our dedicated team. We are delighted to welcome these outstanding experts in their respective turfs. They share CALC’s belief in its full-value-chain business model as sustained value creators. We look forward to seeing them unleashing their professional expertise in full to facilitate our sustainable development and rolling-out of our evolved fleet upgrade services.”
The Company also expresses its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mr. David Morris for his valuable and outstanding contribution to the Group during his full-time role, and looks forward to his continued support to CALC going forward.
