LCI appoints new VP of Capital Markets

LCI, the aviation leasing arm of the Libra Group, has appointed Rory McQueen to the newly-created role of vice president, Capital Markets.
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McQueen, 46, joins LCI with 25 years’ experience in the aviation finance sector, and was previously Head of Treasury at the global business aviation company VistaJet for seven years. During that time he arranged over $3.5bn in aircraft and PDP financing with a variety of institutions including ECAs, banks and capital markets, and played an integral role in the issuance of VistaJet’s $300m unsecured bond. 

He was also responsible for arranging and structuring the financing of Vistajet’s fleet of Bombardier business aircraft, which grew from 11 aircraft to over 50 aircraft during his tenure. Prior to joining VistaJet, McQueen held positions in the project and structured finance teams in both the rail and business aircraft divisions of Bombardier. 

This followed a successful 14-year career with the Bank of Scotland Group where he held a succession of aviation financing roles, culminating in the position of director business direct – aircraft finance. 

LCI CEO, Michael Platt, said: "With his extensive background in aircraft finance, Rory is an excellent addition to the LCI team and he will play an integral role in the continued growth of our business as new aircraft are financed and delivered in the next few years.” 

The appointment of  McQueen, who holds a Private Pilot’s Licence for both fixed wing and rotary aircraft, comes at a time of sustained growth for LCI. In late 2014, they successfully closed a five-year, US$325 million asset–backed credit facility for its helicopter-leasing arm, LCI Helicopters. 

LCI Helicopters’ total fleet is made up of 90 delivered and ordered helicopters, including the market-leading AgustaWestland AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters, and next generation Airbus Helicopters H175 and H225s. LCI is the launch customer for both the AW169 and the EC225e. This follows a firm order LCI Helicopters made in early February 2015 for an additional 11 AgustaWestland AW139, AW169 and AW189 aircraft valued at US$125 million. 

LCI’s helicopters are currently in operation across four continents – Asia, Australasia, Africa and Europe.