Our People

With a long and established career within the aviation industry, Simon is a recognised industry leader and well-rounded aviation executive, who most recently undertook the role of Senior Vice President - Customer Business, Civil Aerospace at Rolls Royce PLC before joining AerFin in December 2021 as CEO. Simon is responsible for developing and executing the global strategic direction of the company in 2022 and beyond.

Simon Bayliss joined AerFin in June 2018 as Group Head of Operations before becoming a member of the leadership team in November 2019 as Director of Operations.

Simon has a career spanning 31 years in the aviation industry within GE Aviation Wales, one of the largest aircraft engine maintenance facilities in the world.

Having started his career as an apprentice Simon held various roles through to senior leadership positions in Operations, Planning & Supply Chain.

Simon’s primary responsibilities at AerFin is heading up the Engine MRO Services and all aspects of business operations side.  Along with accountability for Quality Management Systems and the Health and Safety framework across the group.

In addition, Simon is an EASA Form 4 Holder. 

Steven Ades FCCA Is a certified chartered accountant, who joined AerFin in 2010 at its inception. Prior to working at AerFin he headed up the finance function for entities in both the travel industry and bespoke software industry. Mr Ades has managed the finance function of the business through a period of rapid growth, which included the sale of a majority equity stake to CarVal Investors in December 2014.

Steven has primary responsibility for all aspects of financial control, P&L, cash-flow management and reporting within the business. He also manages IT systems and has strategic responsibility for business planning and acquisition funding. During his career at AerFin Steven has benefitted from Industry specific exposure allowing him to develop financial tools for evaluating maintenance costs on new engine programs, and develop modelling techniques for the acquisition of aircraft and engines.

Auvinash Narayen is an experienced engineer, having previously worked for Air Mauritius and a global aircraft engine consultancy services provider engaged in the acquisition and leasing of aircraft engines. A fluent French speaker, Mr Narayen progressed from maintenance engineering into asset management, trading and leasing having held various positions including responsibility for managing an Airbus asset management active fleet portfolio.

Mr Narayen has undertaken various roles including deal origination, engine leasing and business development across a broad product range of mid thrust and large fan engines. Mr Narayen has extensive knowledge of modern power plants and an established MRO network. His responsibilities within AerFin are origination, contract negotiation and management.

James joined AerFin in July 2016 as a senior member of the management team. He has a career spanning nearly 20 years in the aviation industry including senior commercial and sales and marketing positions within a leading engine consultancy services business, a rapidly growing aerospace and electronics parts manufacturer and Chromalloy, the worldwide manufacturing and repair services provider of gas turbine engine parts. The 8 years in Chromalloy Thailand leading sales and customer services, culminated in a number of long term agreements, particularly with China Airlines & Siemens and Rolls Royce, where James was the commercial lead in securing the first Trent 1000 repairs outside of the Rolls Royce network.  

James’ responsibility at AerFin is devising and executing the sales and marketing strategy for the group and leading the wider sales team on building long term agreements with strategic customers in the leasing, airline and MRO community.   

As Chief People Officer (CPO), Jo is responsible for developing and implementing AerFin’s People Strategy, ensuring that people, culture and organisational plans are aligned to the Company’s core values and commercial ambitions. 

Jo brings a wealth of human resources experience and capabilities after more than 20 years working in various corporate and consulting roles. These include advising and supporting organisations through transformational growth developing effective people strategies in a variety of sectors, including: aviation, FMCG, energy and insurance.