How Deepak Sharma Built a Trusted Aviation Brand Through Ethics and Excellence

During his two decades of success in the aviation industry, Deepak Sharma has developed a reputation through quiet consistency, ethical leadership, and unshakable reliability.

As CEO of Aircraft Finance Lease Ltd (AFL), a London-based company specializing in innovative financing solutions for the global aviation and aerospace sectors, Sharma is a visionary leader. Since founding AFL in 2019, he has positioned the company as a trusted corporate partner to leading aircraft and engine lessors.

With over two decades of proven success in the aviation industry, Sharma has consistently driven revenue growth and EBITDA in some of the most challenging markets and conditions. His career is distinguished by over 10 years of executive-level leadership, underpinned by deep expertise across technical, commercial, operational, contractual, and asset management disciplines. He also brings extensive experience in the airline, MRO, supplier, and supply chain ecosystems. For Deepak Sharma, aviation is his world.

Influential Roles Throughout His Career - From Engineer to Executive

Before Deepak Sharma’s AFL became a reality, he served as President of Integrated Solutions at a leading global aviation services provider. In this role, he was pivotal in expanding the organization’s portfolio and delivering innovative solutions for the aviation sector. Previously, he served as Chief Technical Officer at AJW Group, where he led transformative projects and strategic initiatives. Earlier in his career, he served as Engineering Director at UK International Airlines, where he successfully launched the airline’s operations and engineering department, earning a certificate of recognition for his outstanding contributions.

Sharma has held influential leadership roles throughout his distinguished career across strategy, sales and marketing, operations, engineering, and program management. His ability to navigate complex technical and business challenges has solidified his reputation as a thought leader in the aerospace industry. His professional journey includes roles at British Aerospace and Brymon Airways Engineering, a subsidiary of British Airways, where he honed his expertise in operations and engineering.

Academically, Sharma holds a degree in Aircraft Engineering and is certified with an EASA license in multiple categories. He has also pursued advanced qualifications in aviation, contract law, and business administration, which further cements his status as a versatile and highly accomplished professional.

Recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS), Deepak Sharma continues to inspire and drive excellence within the aviation industry, making an indelible impact on the global aerospace landscape.

Sharma is an advocate of innovation when it is applied judiciously. “It is not simply a vehicle for novelty—it is a means of delivering genuine value,” he explains. “In an industry as technically and commercially intricate as aviation finance, the careful adoption of emerging tools enables us to respond to complexity with precision and foresight. From digital contract platforms to data-led asset diagnostics, the tools I adopt must enhance not only operational efficiency but also the quality of human engagement. At its best, innovation upholds the highest standards of service and trust,” he explains.

When asked what his key strength is, Sharma says he can distill complex, multifaceted situations into clear, actionable strategies. This strength has proven invaluable in global transactions, regulatory negotiations, and cross-disciplinary projects. He approaches each challenge with composure, discernment, and a keen awareness of both detail and broader consequence. In practice, this means guiding commercially sound, balanced, sustainable, and stakeholder-conscious decisions.

While Sharma is focused on the growth of AFL, his approach to strategic planning is both structured and reflective. He establishes long-term objectives grounded in industry realities and global market trends, while setting quarterly benchmarks that enable adaptability.

“At AFL, our growth strategy is underpinned by rigorous analysis, disciplined forecasting, and unwavering focus on value creation. I also pursue ongoing learning to remain conversant with regulatory developments, financial innovations, and geopolitical shifts that influence our industry,” he explains.

Deepak Sharma is keen on making adjustments to better the company to meet the needs of its clients; he considers constructive feedback a gift, an opportunity to recalibrate, refine, and improve. “I strive to listen fully, resist immediate judgment, and gracefully assess the underlying intent. Where a critique is valid, I act promptly and thoughtfully. Leadership demands the humility to accept that we are all works in progress. In my experience, how one receives feedback speaks volumes about one’s readiness to lead,” he says.

Building and Maintaining Trust is Key

Building and maintaining trust with clients and partners is critical to the success of AFL. Trust, once established, must be protected with the utmost diligence, Sharma stresses. “I prioritize transparency from the outset, manage expectations precisely, and communicate with candor and tact. I also acknowledge the pressures clients face and make every effort to understand their perspective. My practice is to deliver consistently, honor commitments, and address challenges promptly and respectfully. In aviation finance, where risk and complexity are a given, trust is the bedrock of every enduring relationship.”

Sharma believes that one’s professional reputation is the cumulative outcome of actions taken and values upheld. He says he strives to be visible authentically, whether by contributing to strategic discussions, sharing insights in a considered manner, or demonstrating reliability in high-stakes engagements. He values discretion greatly; knowing when not to speak is as important as knowing what to say, he says. Over time, these choices have helped Sharma cultivate a reputation grounded in quiet confidence and integrity.

How does Sharma balance openness and privacy when interacting with clients, colleagues, and collaborators? He leads with authenticity, but never at the expense of discretion. “I seek to foster warm, respectful, and transparent professional relationships while maintaining strict boundaries around confidentiality and personal integrity. I am mindful that in leadership, what one chooses not to share is often as telling as what is shared. Trust is reinforced when people know their privacy and dignity are secure in your presence,” Sharma says.

Protecting one’s professional reputation calls for both foresight and vigilance. Sharma adheres to a framework of robust internal governance, legal clarity, and ethical consistency. He remains proactive in assessing reputational risk—whether digital, contractual, or interpersonal -- and ensures that any emerging issue is addressed swiftly, with dignity and accuracy. However, he says, the most enduring protection is one’s character. “When decisions are anchored in principle, even the most challenging situations can be navigated without compromising one’s name.”

Staying Relevant and Ready for the Future

How does Sharma stay informed about changes in the aviation industry to ensure his brand remains relevant? He acknowledges that remaining abreast of industry developments requires intellectual discipline and genuine curiosity. He reads widely across technical journals, legal updates, and financial analyses, and engages regularly with regulators, financiers, and operational experts to maintain a well-rounded perspective. He also draws on his affiliations with professional societies, including the Royal Aeronautical Society, to gain early insights into evolving standards and policy discourse. Relevance, in this context, is not merely about visibility, he says; it is about rigor and readiness.

Deepak Sharma, ever the thoughtful visionary, sees considerable potential for innovation in the future of aviation finance as he continues to meet the industry's changing needs with trust and integrity.