Lease Corporation International (LCI), the helicopter lessor and aviation division of the Libra Group, has appointed Mark Stevens and Alejandro Kerschen to its advisory board. The board, which was first established in 2013, advises LCI’s senior management team on its long-term strategy, business performance, and major developments such as aircraft acquisitions and placements.
Since its inception in 2004, LCI has acquired fixed- and rotary- wing aircraft with a value of around US$6 billion. LCI’s fleet today comprises approximately US$1 billion of assets in service, on order and under management, focused on light-twin, medium and super medium helicopters. Its owner Libra Group has 30 subsidiaries active in 35 countries across six continents.
Stevens previously served as managing director of Shell Aircraft with responsibility for the delivery of the Shell Oil Group’s global aviation operation comprising 100 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operating in 26 countries. Prior to joining Shell, he served as an engineering officer in the Royal Air Force where he undertook a range of operational and staff roles. His final RAF appointment was director logistic support (Air), where he managed a team of 500 that provided technical consultancy and direct aviation engineering support to the Army, Navy and RAF.
Kerschen is the founder and managing partner of Atlantic Alliance, which provides corporate finance advice, capital markets solutions, research, market intelligence and business development services. He has over 30 years of experience working with asset managers, financial institutions, corporations, private banks, independent wealth managers and family offices. He was previously managing director of SEI Investments, an asset management and financial technology firm, and has also held positions at Paribas, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan.
LCI’s advisory board, which the company describes as unique in the helicopter leasing sector, also consists of Angelo Raimondi, formerly VP, international sales at AgustaWestland. Another member of the board, David Simpson, is an experienced helicopter pilot, who was responsible for all search-and-rescue operations in England and Wales; and was subsequently director of flying at Ministry of Defence responsible for all non-front line flying activity, before joining Lockheed Martin.
Advisory board member Ken Carter has over 40 years experience in aviation, helicopters and with OEMs. He was previously the senior sales executive at Airbus Helicopters for oil and gas markets, and has substantial experience in helicopter contract negotiations.
