Deucalion Aviation Expands International Operations and Enhances Leadership Team Focused on Mid-Life Aircraft

Investing in Aviation: Deucalion's Strategic Expansion

Deucalion Aviation, a well-regarded firm specializing in mid-life commercial aircraft investments, has taken significant strides towards global expansion, marking an exciting chapter in its evolution. The company has announced multiple initiatives aimed at strengthening its leadership, enhancing its operational capabilities, and expanding its geographic footprint.

Recently, Deucalion established a new office in New York City to bolster its presence within the significant North American market. Leading this new venture is Chief Commercial Officer Nathan Riggs alongside David Sims, the Head of Investments, and Chief Financial Officer Diarmuid Hogan. With decades of combined experience in commercial aviation, these leaders are well-positioned to advocate for the firm’s interests across origination, trading, and capital markets.

In addition to the New York office, Deucalion is enriching its London team with the appointment of Karl Trowbridge as Chief Operating Officer. Trowbridge brings extensive experience in managing mid-life and mature aircraft investments, boasting an impressive 40-year history within the aviation sector. His insights will be pivotal as Deucalion continues to navigate the complexities of aircraft asset management.

Further enriching the talent pool, Ross Nicholas joins Deucalion as a Senior Vice President in Dublin, where he will focus on sourcing and trading activities. Nicholas comes with a robust background in transaction execution and pricing, having previously excelled at a notable aviation capital firm.

To strengthen its Asian market activities, Deucalion has enlisted Frank Meijer, who has more than 35 years of industry experience. His new role will center around sourcing, trading, and asset management in the Asia-Pacific region, where he has previously overseen global sales efforts.

A noteworthy transition is also taking place within Deucalion's technical leadership. The search for a new Chief Technical Officer is underway, following the announcement of Les Walsh stepping down. Meanwhile, Rick Boyes, who has spent over 25 years in the industry—including a stint with Virgin Atlantic—has been appointed as Head of Asset Management.

"We're thrilled to continue adding exceptional talent to our team, enhancing our capabilities as we move forward," stated John Morabito, Non-Executive Chairman at Deucalion. He also expressed gratitude for the contributions made by Les Walsh and Toby Iles towards the firm's technical and asset servicing frameworks, emphasizing that these transitions will bolster Deucalion’s strategic initiatives.

Since its acquisition by Strategic Value Partners in 2021, Deucalion has reaffirmed commitment to the mid-life aircraft sector. The firm’s unique investment model promotes strong relationships with both lessors and airlines, enabling them to identify and curate opportunities in mid-life aircraft, especially those with attractive lease terms. This strategy allows for the tailoring of portfolios to meet varying investor demands, encompassing yield, duration, and credit exposure.

"The fundamentals within mid-life aviation remain robust, even amidst broader economic uncertainties," Nathan Riggs remarked. He noted that there continues to be significant demand for strategically structured investments, particularly among capital partners seeking diverse exposure and stable cash yields across various geographic regions and asset types.

With over twenty years of history in aviation, Deucalion Aviation has positioned itself as a global leader in asset management for mid-life aircraft investments. The firm adeptly manages partnerships across the capital stack, collaborating with leading airlines and lessor partners worldwide. Since integrating under Strategic Value Partners, Deucalion has embraced transformative initiatives that promise to generate lasting investor value. The company's investment funds are managed by Strategic Value Partners, which has allocated approximately $3.0 billion towards aviation opportunities under Deucalion's supervision.

For more information, visit Deucalion’s website.