Graeme has over seventeen years’ experience in the business and commercial aviation sectors and first joined The Aviation Club in 2007. Graeme currently serves as Head of Marketing for UK-based aircraft marketing and technical services company, AMS Aircraft Services. He is also the founder and owner of Ionic Aviation, an independent arranger of aircraft finance and leasing solutions for the buyers and owners of business jet aircraft and helicopters.
Graeme began his career as an officer in the British Royal Navy. Upon graduating from Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Graeme specialised as a fighter controller. After serving in mine warfare vessels, frigates and destroyers, Graeme’s service culminated as an Air Director in aircraft carrier and then fleet flagship HMS Ark Royal, where, amongst other duties, he led a team of fighter controllers in the safe and effective conduct of air defence operations.
Following his naval service, Graeme entered the aviation industry with international defence and aerospace company Thales before joining AMS. In addition to managing the remarketing and sale of regional, narrow and wide body commercial aircraft he led the growth and development of the company’s business aviation services. Thereafter, Graeme’s enthusiasm for business aviation led to him joining former leading aircraft financier and lessor CIT Aerospace, where he led the origination, structuring, negotiation and funding of cross-border finance and leasing solutions for the buyers and owners of business aircraft across the Middle East, Africa and India. Graeme thereafter worked as Director of Sales for lessor Global Jet Capital, before leading the development of aviation services for an offshore professional services firm.
An enthusiastic participant on the international aircraft finance and leasing circuit, Graeme is also a member of ISTAT (the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading).