Deepak Sharma stands in his London office, overlooking a city that has become the global hub for aircraft financing. As CEO of AFL Aircraft Finance Lease Ltd, he has spent the past six years transforming a startup into a trusted partner for leading aircraft and engine lessors worldwide. His journey from aircraft engineer to aviation finance leader reflects more than two decades of consistent growth in one of the industry’s most challenging sectors.

“The world doesn’t need more heroes; it needs more stewards,” Sharma says, recalling advice from an early mentor that fundamentally changed his approach to leadership. This philosophy has guided his career from engineering roles at British Airways subsidiaries to executive positions at global aviation services providers, ultimately leading him to found AFL in 2019.

The aviation industry has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, from global supply chain disruptions to economic uncertainty. Yet Sharma has navigated these obstacles by focusing on sustainable growth and relationship building rather than short-term gains. His approach emphasizes technical competence combined with human-centered leadership, a combination that has distinguished AFL in the competitive aircraft financing market.

Sharma’s background spans the full spectrum of aviation operations. He began his career in aircraft engineering, earning an EASA license across multiple categories and working with organizations including British Aerospace and Brymon Airways Engineering. This technical foundation provided him with deep understanding of aircraft systems, maintenance requirements and operational challenges that many finance executives lack.

His transition into leadership roles came through positions of increasing responsibility. As Engineering Director at UK International Airlines, Sharma successfully launched the carrier’s operations and engineering department, earning recognition for his contributions to the startup’s early success. This experience taught him valuable lessons about building organizations from the ground up, lessons he would later apply when founding AFL.

Technical Foundation Drives Business Success

Sharma’s engineering background sets him apart in the aircraft financing world. While many finance executives focus primarily on numbers and contracts, his technical knowledge allows him to understand the assets that AFL finances at a fundamental level.

During his tenure as Chief Technical Officer at AJW Group, Deepak Sharma AFG spearheaded transformative projects that demonstrated how technical innovation could drive business growth. He developed strategic initiatives that enhanced the company’s service offerings while improving operational efficiency. These projects showcased his ability to bridge the gap between engineering excellence and commercial success.

The transition to President of Integrated Solutions at a leading global aviation services provider marked another evolution in Sharma’s career. In this role, he expanded the organization’s portfolio while delivering innovative solutions for aviation sector clients. The position required him to think beyond traditional service boundaries and develop integrated approaches to complex industry challenges.

This progression through increasingly senior technical and commercial roles provided Deepak Sharma Aviation with a comprehensive understanding of aviation industry dynamics. He gained exposure to airline operations, maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, supplier relationships, and supply chain management. Each role added layers of skills that would prove essential when he decided to launch AFL.

Global Leadership Philosophy Takes Shape

Managing teams across different continents requires cultural sensitivity and adaptability. Deepak Sharma AFG has developed approaches to leadership that acknowledge diverse perspectives while maintaining organizational coherence. At AFL, teams operate in the Americas and India, bringing different cultural contexts and professional experiences to their work.

“It starts with humility,” Sharma says when discussing his approach to cultivating mentorship across diverse teams. “We build cross-regional mentorship frameworks not as top-down directives but as mutual learning spaces. At AFL, we deliberately encourage peer-to-peer mentoring, inter-office knowledge exchanges, and culturally aware leadership dialogues.”

Sharma believes in enabling local autonomy while maintaining common global values. His leadership philosophy extends beyond internal team management to client relationships and industry partnerships. Sharma approaches business development with the same emphasis on relationship building and mutual benefit that characterizes his management style. This approach has helped AFL establish itself as a trusted partner rather than merely a financial services provider.

Deepak Sharma Builds Aircraft Finance Lease

The decision to found AFL in 2019 marked the culmination of Sharma’s extensive experience in the aviation industry. He recognized an opportunity to create a financing company that combined deep technical knowledge with innovative approaches to aircraft and aerospace financing.

AFL specializes in providing financing solutions for aircraft and engine lessors, a niche that requires understanding both financial markets and aviation asset characteristics. The company’s success depends on accurate assessment of aircraft values, maintenance requirements, and market demand projections. Sharma’s technical background provides AFL with competitive advantages in these critical areas.

Under his leadership, AFL has positioned itself as more than a traditional financing provider. The company offers integrated solutions that address clients’ operational and financial needs simultaneously. This approach reflects Sharma’s belief that sustainable business relationships require an understanding of clients’ complete operational contexts, rather than focusing solely on financial transactions.

AFL’s success demonstrates the value of combining technical skill with financial acumen. The company’s ability to understand aircraft as both assets and operational tools has enabled it to develop financing solutions that address real industry needs. This technical grounding distinguishes AFL from purely financial organizations that may lack in-depth knowledge of the aviation industry.

Mentorship as Leadership Strategy

Throughout his career progression, Sharma has maintained focus on mentorship as both a leadership tool and personal development strategy.

“I view these relationships as living ecosystems; they require time, honest communication, and care,” Sharma says when discussing his approach to nurturing mentorship relationships. He emphasizes the importance of creating environments where team members can reflect and grow without fear of judgment.

Sharma’s mentoring philosophy emphasizes mutual learning rather than one-way knowledge transfer. He actively seeks feedback from mentees and remains open to challenges and corrections from both junior colleagues and external mentors. This approach creates dynamic relationships that benefit all participants while strengthening organizational capabilities.

The identification of potential leaders within AFL teams reflects Sharma’s focus on character over credentials. He looks for curiosity, thoughtful questioning and willingness to take responsibility during difficult situations. These qualities indicate potential for growth and leadership development regardless of formal qualifications or experience levels.

Once potential leaders are identified, AFL provides them with stretch roles, experienced mentors and encouragement to develop personal leadership visions. The company’s approach emphasizes stewardship over ambition, helping emerging leaders understand their roles in enabling others’ success rather than focusing solely on personal advancement.

Deepak Sharma’s Cross-Cultural Leadership Lessons

Managing global teams has provided Deepak Sharma AFG with insights into cultural differences and their impact on business effectiveness. “Some of my most powerful insights about inclusion, communication, and resilience have come not from textbooks or strategy papers, but from conversations with a mentee in Bangalore or a team lead in Bogotá,” Sharma says. These interactions have broadened his perspective and enhanced his effectiveness as a global leader.

The cultural diversity within AFL teams creates opportunities for innovative problem-solving and creative approaches to business challenges. Different cultural perspectives contribute varied insights that enhance decision-making and strategic planning. Sharma has learned to leverage these differences as competitive advantages rather than viewing them as obstacles to overcome.

AFL’s global teams operate under common principles of integrity, accountability, and mutual respect but local teams adapt their implementations to reflect cultural norms and market conditions. The balance between centralized vision and decentralized execution has proven effective in building cohesive yet flexible operations.

The experience of leading across cultures has also influenced Sharma’s personal development. He describes mentoring as having softened him where he needed it and strengthened him where he lacked confidence. The exposure to different perspectives has made him more patient, aware and effective as both a leader and global citizen.

Industry Recognition and Future Vision

Sharma’s contributions to aviation have earned recognition from industry peers and professional organizations. His designation as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society reflects his technical competence and leadership contributions to the aerospace sector.

The combination of technical knowledge, business acumen and leadership skills has positioned Deepak Sharma AFG as a thought leader in aviation finance. His ability to understand aircraft as both technical systems and financial assets provides a unique perspective on industry trends and challenges.

The aviation industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by technological advancements, environmental concerns and changing market dynamics. Sharma’s diverse background and adaptive leadership style position AFL to navigate these changes successfully while maintaining its core values and service excellence.

His ongoing relationships with early mentors continue to influence his decision-making and strategic thinking. The guidance he received throughout his career remains relevant as he faces new challenges and opportunities. These enduring relationships demonstrate the lasting value of effective mentorship and its role in sustained professional development.

His success with AFL demonstrates that sustainable business growth requires understanding both technical realities and human relationships. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, leaders like Sharma who bridge technical and business domains will play increasingly important roles in supporting the industry’s transformation while maintaining its operational excellence and safety standards.