Dublin, Ireland-based 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 was first established in 2013 and is made up of senior industry executives with proven track records in the helicopter and other related industries. It advises LCI's senior management team on its long term strategy, business performance and major developments such as aircraft acquisitions and placements.

Stevens previously served as managing director of Shell Aircraft, with responsibility for the safe 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 wide range of operational and staff roles. His final RAF appointment was director logistic support (Air), where he managed a team of 500 people who 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' 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 executive chairman of LCI Crispin Maunder says: “We are delighted that Mark and Alejandro have agreed to join our advisory board. Their longstanding industry experience and proven track records make them valuable additions to our advisory team.”

LCI's advisory board, which is unique in the helicopter leasing sector, consists of a number of senior industry executives. These include Angelo Raimondi, formerly vice president, international sales at AgustaWestland with over 45 years' experience in the helicopter, flight simulator and aircraft services sectors; David Simpson, a helicopter pilot with over 40 years' experience who was responsible for all search and rescue operations in England and Wales, and was subsequently director of flying at the Ministry of Defence where he was responsible for all non-front line flying activity, before joining Lockheed Martin; and Ken Carter, who has over 40 years experience in aviation, helicopters and with OEMs. He was previously the senior sales executive at Airbus Helicopters for the oil and gas markets and has substantial experience in helicopter contract negotiations.

The company has successfully closed a new asset-backed helicopter financing facility in excess of US$75 million. The new facility, led by CaixaBank along with a consortium of financial institutions, was arranged by National Westminster Bank as part of an oversubscribed financing, and will be used to support the continuing growth of LCI's helicopter fleet for civilian use.

The new arrangement is CaixaBank's first with LCI, and follows the successful closing of a similar facility earlier this year with Close Brothers Aviation and Marine.

LCI CFO Jaspal Jandu says: “LCI's sustained growth across multiple sectors in geographic markets around the globe is proving an attractive proposition for our financial partners, and this was recognised in the oversubscribed demand for this new asset-backed facility.

“We're delighted to be working with CaixaBank and the consortium to help drive the growth of our fleet of next generation helicopters, whose efficiency and reliability is proving popular with the many civilian helicopter operators to whom we lease them.”