Peter Jiang leads tributes to Michael York as he quits GDHF
Michael York wrote: “Life and business is truly a team sport,” after stepping down from his role of CEO, GDHF.
Helicopter entepreneur Peter Jiang has led the tributes to Michael York following his surprise departure from helicopter lessor GDHF after two and a half years as CEO. Jiang, chairman of GDAT and GDHF added a note to York’s departure post on the social networking platform LinkedIn: “Thank you Michael, you did a great job! Wish you all the best in next.”
GDHF chief financial officer Ray Cleary has also announced his departure from the business.
Writing on the platform, York noted the honour of being the founding CEO of GDHF. “I am proud of all the amazing things we achieved together at GDHF in the last 2.5 years, including forming a world class team, purchasing 28 helicopters, building a large lease portfolio, raising about €300m of debt facilities and pioneering multiple new markets globally.”
Leading the start up lessor’s rapid growth has been an exciting chapter, he said. But, added: “It is now time for me to move forward, so I have made the decision to depart GDHF.”
York closed his valedictory post with thanks. “A huge thanks to all the warm help, support and friendship from the GDHF team, customers, service providers, banks, OEM’s and industry colleagues (too many to thank individually). Life and business is truly a team sport,” he wrote. “Wishing the wonderful people at GDHF all the best in their future.”
Other industry voices have added their praise for York’s leadership as founding CEO of the lessor. Kuldeep Yadav, directeur commercial, Global Accounts, Airbus Helicopters wrote on LinkedIn: “Thank you Michael for your leadership at GDHF and opportunity to work (& learn) on fantastic projects there, see you again.”
Steve Robertson, MD, Air & Sea Analytics added: “Best wishes Michael and congratulations on everything you achieved at GDHF – hugely impressive.”
Olivier Piot, CEO, Nova Capital posted: “All the best Michael York for the future and congrats for your impressive achievements with the GDHF team.”
Tejdeep Singh Khokhar, business development director, Aerostructures at Rockwell Collins commented:“All the best Michael York. Was always a pleasure meeting and working on exciting opportunities and projects with you.”
Drawing together aviation and finance, David Conboy, helicopter instructor, flight test and demonstration pilot noted: “Congratulations at breaking the code of how to afford these things. I’m still working our first $8M investment, almost 20 years later.”
Meanwhile, also writing on LinkedIn, Cleary posted: “After an amazing year as CFO of GDHF I have made the decision to depart GDHF. My sincere thanks and gratitude to Peter Jiang and Michael York and to the entire GDHF team. We achieved a lot together and I extend my best wishes to the team for the future.”
