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Who we are
GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF) is a helicopter leasing and finance company based in Ireland.
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GDHF is rapidly building a large portfolio of newest technology, efficient, cost-effective, multi-mission helicopters.
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GDHF Helicopters are leased by Helicopter operators globally and used to deliver critical missions for multiple industry sectors and strong end users, including Offshore O&G, Wind, EMS, SAR, Government, Corporate, Parapublic.
Meet the Team
Senior Leadership Team
CEO
Michael York
Michael’s career includes over three decades of leadership experience across aviation, military, business, consulting, finance, commercial roles and senior executive positions in multiple countries. Michael previously served as a military leader, helicopter pilot and fighter pilot, flying and instructing on the F/A-18 Hornet, including three years on exchange flying with the US Navy. Michael holds an MBA (with distinction) from the University of Newcastle, and a Bachelor of Science degree (UNSW). Most recently, Michael achieved great success during a 5-year period as the joint Head of Commercial for the world’s largest helicopter finance company.
CFO
Ray Cleary
Ray's career spans over 25 years across international corporate banking and aviation including helicopter leasing, aircraft leasing, and fleet management, roles across Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ray holds a MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, a Masters in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University, and a Bachelor of Science from University College Cork and is a Chartered Management Accountant.
Ray's most recent role was Head of Fleet Acquisition and Asset Management with Air Arabia.
Head of Commercial
Jamie Bowden
Jamie started his love for aviation in the 1980s watching his father go to work in S-61s in the North Sea. On leaving university in 2003, Jamie joined the British Army where he commissioned into the Army Air Corps and became a Lynx helicopter pilot.
Jamie has held commercial roles in the oil and gas and aviation industry, including at CHC, Maersk Drilling and Milestone Aviation. Jamie holds an Honours Degree from University College London and a Diploma in Aircraft Leasing from the Irish Law Society.
Jamie joined GDHF as VP Commercial in August 2024 with a focus on new business development.
General Counsel
Joe Kearton
Joseph is an experienced General Counsel with deep expertise in the aviation, oil & gas, and renewables sectors. He has advised and led legal functions for international businesses operating across Europe, Africa, and Asia, bringing a practical, risk-aware approach to complex legal and regulatory environments.
A former soldier in the British Army Air Corps, Joseph most recently served as General Counsel of the NHV Group, a global helicopter services provider. His career reflects a strong commitment to strategic legal leadership, operational integrity, and supporting business growth in challenging, high-stakes industries.
Head of Operations
Alistair Claxton
Alistair is Head of Operations for GD Helicopter Finance. Following University he joined the UK Royal Marines, serving in various roles and global locations for 12 years. After leaving military service he joined the consultancy sector, advising clients on digital transformation and capability acquisition.
Alistair ensures that GDHF’s people, processes and technology are aligned to support GDHF’s vision and strategy.
Alistair holds a Bachelor’s of Engineering from the University of Glasgow and a Masters in Applied Security Strategy from the University of Exeter.
Head of Technical
Sam Crisp
Sam is an experienced aviation leader with a background in both engineering and commercial roles across the rotary-wing sector. He has worked in complex operating environments including Search and Rescue, emergency services, and special mission support.
Sam has held leadership positions at Avincis and Bristow, where he was involved in fleet planning, maintenance strategy, and business development across a range of critical operations.
Sam holds a First-Class Honours degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, and is licensed across multiple helicopter types.
Team GDHF
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VP Commercial
Irina Akifieva
Irina is a VP Commercial for GD Helicopter Finance. Irina is responsible for commercial development, managing customer relationships and portfolio placement focusing on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Irina has over 15 years’ experience in the helicopter industry covering leasing, acquisition and sales of aircraft, maintenance, repair, overhaul, field support, spare parts procurement and sales, training.
Irina holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Strathclyde.
VP Commercial
Peter Newington
Peter is a VP Commercial in GDHF with relationship responsibility for the South East Asia, Australia / New Zealand and LATAM regions. Peter has been an aviation enthusiast from the first time his father took him flying at the age of 6. On leaving university in 2003, Peter joined the British Army where he commissioned into the Army Air Corps and became a Lynx helicopter pilot. Following his military service, Peter flew as a line helicopter pilot for Everett Aviation in Iraq and Somalia. Peter then held an interesting position as a lead operational analyst within Phantoms Works, Boeing. He then held roles for HEVILIFT in Papua New Guinea, Careflight in New South Wales, and Babcock Australia. Peter holds a double degree in Business and Law, and is a qualified Australian Solicitor.
VP Aircraft Sales
Tim Blockley
An industry veteran of 27 years, Tim has worked across multiple disciplines in the rotary wing world, focused on sales, leasing and business development activity across all operating sectors of the industry.
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He established H-LEASE in 2011, a specialist helicopter sales and lease brokerage business. Harnessing his extensive global network and knowledge of the helicopter industry, he professionally supports numerous commercial helicopter operators and other institutions in relation to remarketing and business development activity, offering insight and solutions to market challenges.
VP Technical
Mark Paulin
Mark is VP Technical for GDHF. During his 35 years of experience in the helicopter industry he has amassed a wealth of experience in the technical management of aircraft and Maintenance, Repair and Overhail (MRO) facilities.
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He started his career as a licensed aircraft engineer before specialising in Part 21G & J, CAMO, Part 147 and MRO management.
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Mark is responsible for the technical aspects of GDHF's assets, especially the technical interactions with our customers before, during and after leases.
Finance & Tax Associate
Andrew McGrath
Andrew is responsible for ensuring the tax, pricing and finance function of GDHF is executed in line with the Company’s strategy.
With over 7 years’ experience in aviation, Andrew has worked across the OEM, Airline and Aircraft Leasing sectors covering commercial, pricing and tax. Most recently he worked in Airline Marketing with Airbus, prior to this he worked as an independent consultant and also for a global aircraft leasing company.
Andrew holds a Chartered Tax Advisor qualification and is a graduate from the ISTAT Professional Development Program.
Finance Associate
Julia Chernova
Julia is the Finance Associate at GD Helicopter Finance.
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She is responsible for supporting the management and execution of financial and administrative activities, interfacing as needed with all GDHF entities and external stakeholders.
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With 6 years of experience in commercial project management and export management, Julia holds a Master's degree in International Management from Utrecht University of the Netherlands and a Master's degree in Project Management from the Russian Academy of National Economy.
Finance & Administration Associate
Deirdre Free
Deirdre is a Finance & Administration Associate at GD Helicopter Finance, where she is responsible for supporting the management and execution of financial and administrative activities.
Working closely with the Head of Finance she ensures that financial strategies, processes, and procedures align with GDHF's overall objectives and best practices.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Applied Taxation from the University of Limerick and a Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) (Accounting Stream) from the National University of Ireland.
Operations Associate
Daria Lymar
Daria is a results-driven professional with over five years of experience in project coordination, client support, and learning and development.
She has a proven ability to manage cross-functional initiatives, optimise processes, and deliver projects efficiently. Before joining GDHF, she supported large-scale projects, oversaw financial reporting, and enhanced client satisfaction through clear communication and process improvement.
Holding a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Jagiellonian University, Daria combines analytical thinking with professionalism and a commitment to excellence.
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