Working Week Brendan Lodge

Brendan Lodge is business development director for JetBrokers Europe, which focuses on providing the best possible solution for buyers and sellers while broking corporate aircraft transactions at an international level

How did you get into aviation and what was your first role?

In 2001, Lombard North Central, where I'd been working for 19 years, invited me to join the aviation unit. Under the mentoring of Mark Wooller, now head of consultancy at IBA, my passion for aviation grew. Since then I've worked in a variety of aerospace financial roles with time spent at Hitachi Capital, and Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander.

© JetBrokers Europe  Lodge: a strong commitment to integrity at JBE is important

Pathfinder Aviation Finance, my own company, was launched in 2009 to provide specialist, ad hoc broking and consultancy advice to aircraft owners on aircraft finance and it was through Pathfinder that I met the team at JetBrokers Europe. There was natural synergy between Pathfinder and JBE and we began to work closely together. This coincided with a period of expansion for JBE, and it seemed a natural evolution to join the team.

What do you enjoy about JetBrokers?

They are an inspirational set of people and we work very well together. There is a strong commitment to integrity and that's important for me. The JetBrokers US office, with nearly 20 years of experience, has set up a good business protocol that we can mirror. Within a very short space of time we have opened offices in the UK, Switzerland and Germany, the website has been translated into different languages and the business has developed a set of language skills. I'm also given the freedom to develop the business by bringing together a number of different leads, and follow opportunities to generate deals and business.

Where do you source aircraft?

The aircraft we handle come from a variety of sources. I have an extensive network of aviation contacts and can maximise this for everybody's benefit. It means I can bring a jet to market that I know can be sold, even if it's not got a for-sale sign on, and if a client is looking for a specific type of jet I normally have a good idea where to find it. We also have the arrangement with JetBrokers Inc, where we can sell their aircraft list, and they can promote ours.

What does your role entail?

My primary focus at JetBrokers Europe is buy and sale mandates at the heavy jet end of the market, for both on and off market transactions. I also work on generating business with the lighter jet market, which will continue to be the "bread and butter" of our business. Having a presence on both sides of the Atlantic is a real advantage when it comes to making deals as we share our inventories, and we have extremely good communication regarding sales progress on our listings. This is a key strength, particularly when assisting clients in Europe to source aircraft from the USA or vice versa.

I'm also responsible for widening the remit of JetBrokers internationally. Expanding areas such as Russia, Asia and the Middle East are particularly keen on mid- to heavy-sized jets. I'd like to develop new ways of communicating our inventory to the market.

Where are you based ?

I'm based in the UK but travel wherever the deal requires. JetBrokers has just secured offices at Farnborough airport, at the heart of UK business aviation.

How do you expand your network?

I attend the primary aviation shows to make new contacts with clients, management companies, charter operators and those selling aircraft. Just over a year ago I instigated the Business Aviation Supper Club and this has grown rapidly as an informal evening. Transparency is key at our business and JetBrokers is very good at maintaining this through its networking, advertising and social media.

Source: Flight International