Karl Griffin appointed Chair of Aircraft Leasing Ireland

Karl Griffin appointed Chair of Aircraft Leasing Ireland

July 18, 2024

Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI) has announced the appointment of Karl Griffin, Chief Executive Officer at GENESIS, to the role of Chairperson. Karl takes over the role from Marie-Louise Kelly, Chief Financial Officer at ORIX Aviation after her successful two-year term as Chairperson. Jennifer Creevey, Chief Financial Officer with Nordic Aviation Capital has been appointed Vice-Chair of ALI and will assume the role of Chair in 2026. Formed in July 2018, ALI is the group representing the aircraft leasing industry in Ireland. It is a constituent part of Financial Services Ireland (Ibec), the only trade association that represents the totality of the financial services sector in Ireland.

Speaking upon his appointment, Karl said: "It is an honour to be appointed Chairperson of Aircraft Leasing Ireland, representing our members in a global industry that is based here in Ireland. I would like to thank Marie-Louise for her excellent stewardship during the past two years, particularly her leadership in the creation of the ALI Sustainability Charter which contained the first set of ESG and climate-aligned principles for the aviation industry, and the work she has done to enhance ALI for all members into what it is today. I would also like to welcome Jennifer Creevy to the role of Vice-Chair and look forward to working together with her, the newly formed ALI Steering Committee and all member companies over this two-year term. The Irish aircraft leasing industry continues to innovative and grow, built on five decades of pioneering leadership. Nestled in an intellectually rich ecosystem and coupled with a favourable economic and regulatory environment, companies have continued to be attracted to establish, expand, and scale their operations here in Ireland."

Appointed Genesis Group Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Karl has over 34 years of aviation experience spanning aircraft leasing, airline management and maintenance and repair organisations. Prior to joining Genesis, Karl was Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at AWAS, where he spent 11 years building the business into a top five aircraft leasing company ahead of its successful sale in 2017. Karl started his aviation career in 1990 as an apprentice in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul sector with GPA Joint Venture company, Shannon Aerospace. In 1998, Karl became a founding member of the low-cost airline, Virgin Express with a fleet of 25 aircraft at the time, serving major European cities. In 2002 he joined the newly formed RBS Aviation Capital, where he held various technical, pricing and marketing roles, including, the formation of its engine leasing and finance business. Karl received a first-class honours MBA from the University of Limerick, a Dip. Mechanical Engineering from Galway Institute of Technology and an ICAO & EASA aircraft maintenance engineer's licence. Karl was appointed as non-executive board member of Heston Airlines at the start of 2024.

Elizabeth Bowen, ALI Director said: "Ireland is the leading centre for aircraft leasing globally and is a high growth sector of international financial services, representing $100billion of assets and that supports 8,543 local jobs. ALI works collaboratively with the Irish Government and state agencies to ensure Ireland retains this leading position. We look forward to working with Karl and Jennifer in these efforts. We are extremely grateful to Marie-Louise Kelly for her commitment and leadership over the past two years".

ENDS

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