GDAT names Joseph Kearton as CEO of new business GDAT Global
Chinese helicopter company GDAT has appointed Joseph Kearton as CEO of its new international business GDAT Global. The new unit will serve operators, governments and humanitarian organisations outside China, drawing on the group’s experience in offshore, search and rescue (SAR), helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and humanitarian missions.
An industry veteran, Kearton has spent much of his career in the helicopter industry and has experience of the oil and gas sector. He previously worked at NHV, the North Sea helicopter operator, supporting offshore operations and has worked throughout Africa and Asia. He leads the new business after serving as a member of the senior leadership team at helicopter lessor GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF) – a sister company of GDAT.
Peter Jiang, owner and chairman of GDAT Group said: “I have appointed Joseph because of his deep understanding of the helicopter industry and his focus on customers and safety. He knows the operators, the missions and the markets we are entering. With Joseph leading GDAT Global, we will take the capability GDAT has built in offshore, SAR, HEMS and humanitarian operations to customers around the world.”
New markets
Kearton said GDAT has built a strong reputation for quality and safety and for operating in remote and challenging environments. “We want to bring that experience to new markets,” he said, adding what distinguished the business was its access to aircraft. “Through the GDAT and GDHF order book, we can offer operators and end users solutions on availability, timing and aircraft type that would be difficult to find elsewhere in the industry. I look forward to working with customers and partners across the industry to build long-term relationships.”
Established in 2012 and headquartered in Shanghai, GDAT Group provides helicopter sales and leasing, maintenance and modification, offshore transport, emergency rescue and government service flights. With operating bases in Suzhou, west of Shanghai, and Ningbo, southeast China, GDAT operates the world’s largest fleet of Airbus H225 aircraft.
Largest owner of Airbus H160s
Through its sister company GDHF, GDAT is also the world’s largest owner of Airbus H160s. It has an order book if nearly 100 medium and super medium aircraft.
In August GDHF ditched plans to buy NHV Group – the rotary operator, maintenance and training business – following the Belgian government’s decision to block the proposed deal.
Meanwhile, watch out for our first interview with Kearton next week.
