Bob James studied Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in 1984 and has a career spanning Rolls Royce PLC, British Airways and General Electric. He is a highly regarded professional in his field having presented at many industry conferences, undertaken expert witness activity and having previously co-founded an engine management, sales and leasing company, sold to DVB Bank SE in July 2007.
Mr James is renowned for his passion for the aviation business and his entrepreneurial leadership style. Establishing AerFin Limited in September 2010 and selling an 80% interest to CarVal Investors in December 2014, Mr James has brought access to significant capital and market reach which strategically positions the AerFin business for continued growth with shareholder interest very much aligned. The business specializes in providing end of life solutions for investors, MROs and airlines exposed to technically challenging assets and includes spare engine, airframe and engine material supply chain solutions.
Steven Ades FCCA Is a certified chartered accountant, who joined AerFin in 2010 at its inception. Prior to working at AerFin he headed up the finance function for entities in both the travel industry and bespoke software industry. Mr Ades has managed the finance function of the business through a period of rapid growth, which included the sale of a majority equity stake to CarVal Investors in December 2014.
Steven has primary responsibility for all aspects of financial control, P&L, cash-flow management and reporting within the business. He also manages IT systems and has strategic responsibility for business planning and acquisition funding. During his career at AerFin Steven has benefitted from Industry specific exposure allowing him to develop financial tools for evaluating maintenance costs on new engine programs, and develop modelling techniques for the acquisition of aircraft and engines.
Auvinash Narayen is an experienced engineer, having previously worked for Air Mauritius and a global aircraft engine consultancy services provider engaged in the acquisition and leasing of aircraft engines. A fluent French speaker, Mr Narayen progressed from maintenance engineering into asset management, trading and leasing having held various positions including responsibility for managing an Airbus asset management active fleet portfolio.
Mr Narayen has undertaken various roles including deal origination, engine leasing and business development across a broad product range of mid thrust and large fan engines. Mr Narayen has extensive knowledge of modern power plants and an established MRO network. His responsibilities within AerFin are origination, contract negotiation and management.
Christopher Hooley holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) having gained extensive experience in the aviation industry during his 25 year tenure at British Midland (BMI). His career at the airline covered a wide range of senior positions within Engineering, including technical records, reliability, production planning and control and more latterly as General Manager – Commercial & Supply Chain. In 2006 Christopher left BMI to establish Airline Services Components Limited (ASC) holding the position of Managing Director and was instrumental in the collaboration with AerFin which lead to the eventual acquisition of the business assets of ASC.
Mr Hooley is now a senior member of the AerFin team in the position of Director - Airframe Division, responsible for all aspects of the London Gatwick operation covering Stores, Logistics, MRO, Contract Management and Sales relating to Airframe Components whilst maintaining close liaison and ensuring functional integration with the Bedwas team.
James joined AerFin in July 2016 as a senior member of the management team. He has a career spanning nearly 20 years in the aviation industry including senior commercial and sales and marketing positions within a leading engine consultancy services business, a rapidly growing aerospace and electronics parts manufacturer and Chromalloy, the worldwide manufacturing and repair services provider of gas turbine engine parts. The 8 years in Chromalloy Thailand leading sales and customer services, culminated in a number of long term agreements, particularly with China Airlines & Siemens and Rolls Royce, where James was the commercial lead in securing the first Trent 1000 repairs outside of the Rolls Royce network.
James’ responsibility at AerFin is devising and executing the sales and marketing strategy for the group and leading the wider sales team on building long term agreements with strategic customers in the leasing, airline and MRO community.
Toby Clouston was admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales in 2008. Prior to joining AerFin in June 2016, he worked for top tier, London based, international law firms as well as being seconded to a leading aircraft engine leasing company. Mr Clouston has extensive legal experience in the commercial and corporate aviation finance, leasing and trading sectors and has worked for a wide range of aviation lenders, lessors, operators and aviation service providers across various asset types.
As AerFin's legal counsel, Mr Clouston works closely with AerFin's airframe and engine divisions and their origination, leasing and PBH, consignment, component support and consultancy teams throughout each deal cycle. Mr Clouston oversees general legal matters for the AerFin group and also manages risk, compliance and company secretarial functions and sits within AerFin's management team.
Nick has substantial experience within the aviation industry gained during his 30 years at Dan-Air, FLS Aerospace, A.J Walter Aviation, Airline Services Components (ASC) & AerFin Ltd.
His career covered a wide range of senior positions including Board Membership at A.J Walter Aviation & Airline Services Components (ASC) & AerFin Ltd.
In 2006, Nick left A.J Walter and was a founding member of Airline Services Components (ASC) holding the position on the Board of Directors, playing an instrumental role in the collaboration with AerFin, which lead to the eventual acquisition of the business assets of ASC.
Nick is now a senior member of the AerFin team in the position of Director - Asset Sales and MRO, having direct responsibility for Airframe Major Asset Sales and Component MRO activity whilst also maintaining close liaison and functional integration with the Bedwas, Cardiff division.
Simon Bayliss joined AerFin in June 2018 as Group Head of Operations before becoming a member of the leadership team in November 2019 as Director of Operations.
Simon has a career spanning 31 years in the aviation industry within GE Aviation Wales, one of the largest aircraft engine maintenance facilities in the world.
Having started his career as an apprentice Simon held various roles through to senior leadership positions in Operations, Planning & Supply Chain.
Simon’s primary responsibilities at AerFin is heading up the Engine MRO Services and all aspects of business operations side. Along with accountability for Quality Management Systems and the Health and Safety framework across the group.
In addition, Simon is an EASA Form 4 Holder.
