Flying has at all times represented each ingenuity and boundless alternative to Deepak Sharma, CEO of Plane Finance Lease Ltd. (AFL), who has spent greater than 20 years turning that zeal into groundbreaking achievements in aviation finance and management. As chief government officer of AFL, Sharma is reshaping how the trade approaches plane financing and leasing options.
“Dream big,” Sharma says, reflecting on the recommendation he would give his youthful self. “But ground those dreams in action.” This philosophy has guided him by way of a profession marked by over $5 billion in plane offers and life-changing management roles throughout the aviation trade. His journey from hands-on engineer to CEO illustrates the ability of mixing technical expertise with strategic management.
Since beginning AFL in 2019, Deepak Sharma has grown the corporate right into a dependable accomplice for plane and engine lessors throughout the globe. By creating tailor-made financing options that meet the altering wants of right this moment’s aviation trade, he has constructed AFL right into a key participant in tackling the complexities of worldwide aerospace finance, particularly throughout occasions of world financial uncertainty.
Deepak Sharma Builds Success By way of Strategic Imaginative and prescient
Sharma’s journey to turning into a pacesetter in aviation began with hands-on work. He earned a level in plane engineering and a European Union Aviation Security Company (EASA) license in a number of classes, giving him a stable technical basis. He then constructed on that with superior research in aviation, contract legislation, and enterprise administration, which set him up for greater roles within the trade. His early profession experiences at British Aerospace and Brymon Airways Engineering, a British Airways subsidiary, offered essential insights into the operational complexities of economic aviation.
“Integrity, innovation, and excellence form the backbone of my leadership philosophy,” Sharma says, describing the core values that drive his strategy. These values have been his information by way of robust negotiations, together with closing offers price over $1.8 billion. These offers meant bringing collectively groups from all over the world and steering by way of unpredictable markets. “By implementing solutions,” he provides. “I delivered operational efficiencies and cost savings that redefined expectations,” highlighting how technical data mixed with strategic imaginative and prescient can remodel trade requirements.
The aviation trade is stuffed with ups and downs and fixed technological shifts, so it wants leaders who can keep forward of the curve and adapt rapidly. Sharma’s engineering background has been an enormous benefit, giving him a deep understanding of each the technical and monetary sides of plane leasing. This well-rounded perspective lets Sharma create smarter, simpler financing options that take into consideration each how the plane are used and what the market wants at AFL.
From Engineering to Government Management
Earlier than establishing AFL, Sharma served as president of Built-in Options at a serious aviation providers supplier, the place he expanded the group’s portfolio by way of progressive options. This position helped him see how completely different elements of the aviation trade are related and why tackling challenges requires a big-picture strategy.
His earlier place as chief technical officer at AJW Group noticed him main initiatives that set new requirements for effectivity and innovation. Throughout his tenure as engineering director at UK Worldwide Airways, Sharma efficiently launched their operations and engineering division, incomes recognition for his excellent contributions to the airline’s growth.
“The aviation industry thrives on resilience, adaptability, and bold thinking,” Sharma notes, reflecting on the qualities which have outlined his profession development from technical roles to government management. These traits have confirmed important in constructing AFL into an organization that may reply successfully to trade challenges whereas sustaining a deal with long-term development and sustainability.
All through his profession transitions, Deepak Sharma has maintained a dedication to hands-on involvement in essential initiatives. This strategy has gained him respect throughout the trade and helped him construct sturdy connections with key gamers, from airline leaders to upkeep groups. His knack for understanding each the technical and monetary sides of the enterprise has been an enormous benefit, serving to him carry collectively completely different elements of the trade that don’t at all times see eye to eye.
Measuring Success Past Numbers
Whereas Sharma’s profession contains spectacular metrics like reaching six occasions income development, he measures success by way of a broader lens. “Success is about creating enduring value,” he explains. “Building businesses, closing transformative deals, and shaping the future of aviation through strategic leadership.” This angle has influenced AFL’s strategy to enterprise, emphasizing sustainable development over short-term positive factors.
Drawing inspiration from trade leaders like Richard Branson, Sharma emphasizes the significance of mixing innovation with human connection. “His ability to merge innovation with a human touch has influenced my leadership philosophy,” Sharma says. “Reminding me that success is not only about achieving results but also about inspiring teams and making bold, visionary choices.”
Sharma’s management type is all about placing individuals first, and it’s helped him construct groups that work properly collectively and get outcomes. He additionally believes that being good with individuals and understanding their feelings is simply as key. This mixture of expertise has been particularly beneficial when working throughout completely different international locations and cultures, the place constructing belief and clear communication could make or break a deal.
Deepak Sharma’s Innovation in Aviation Finance
Beneath Sharma’s management, AFL has rolled out artistic financing options that meet the altering wants of the aviation trade. The corporate blends its deep data of conventional plane financing with the most recent expertise and market developments, providing monetary merchandise which can be extra adaptable and higher suited to the sector’s calls for.
“Surround yourself with mentors,” Sharma advises, describing the mindset that has helped him establish and capitalize on market alternatives. “Stay curious, and never lose sight of your long-term vision.” This outlook has been particularly useful in creating new monetary merchandise that meet the altering wants of plane operators and lessors.
Making a Distinction Past Aviation
Regardless of his demanding position, Sharma maintains a powerful dedication to social accountability. He at the moment funds and sponsors a basis working a personal psychological asylum in Asia, supporting roughly 70 mentally challenged ladies, a lot of whom are survivors of trauma. “In society,” he says. “The stigma that these vulnerable individuals carry often leads to them being deserted by their families and living on the streets in horrific conditions. Supporting them aligns with my values of compassion and making a positive impact on the world.” This initiative displays his perception in utilizing enterprise success to create a optimistic social affect.
“Balance is about clarity of purpose and disciplined prioritization,” Sharma explains, speaking about how he handles the pressures of main in a worldwide trade whereas nonetheless making time for social affect work. He makes mindfulness and wellness a part of his day by day routine to maintain his vitality and focus sharp, understanding that being a powerful chief means caring for each his physique and thoughts.
Sharma can be deeply dedicated to mentoring the following era of leaders in aviation, exhibiting how a lot he cares about making a distinction that lasts. “One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was mentoring a young engineer who struggled with self-confidence,” he says. “With encouragement and guidance, they not only led a critical project but also became a recognized leader in the field.”
Sharma’s dedication to shaping the following era of leaders goes past one-on-one mentoring. By way of his work with trade teams and his position as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS), he helps create alternatives for up-and-coming professionals in aviation and aerospace.
Seeking to the longer term, Deepak Sharma sees large potential for innovation in aviation finance, particularly in the case of creating greener and extra tech-driven options. His imaginative and prescient for AFL contains taking part in a much bigger half in serving to the trade shift towards extra environment friendly plane and operations, all whereas staying centered on delivering worth for everybody concerned.
