Deepak Sharma still remembers the rush of wind that filled the hangar when he stood beneath the belly of his first aircraft as a trainee engineer. He was nineteen, tools in hand, standing on British soil with a heart full of ambition.
“I looked up and thought, this isn’t just a machine—it’s a marvel,” he recalled. “Even then, I knew I wouldn’t just be working on planes. I wanted to build something for them—systems, partnerships, trust. I didn’t yet know how, but I knew I would.”
Today, Sharma is the founder and CEO of AFL Aircraft Finance Lease Ltd., a London-based firm specializing in financial structuring for the global aviation and aerospace sectors. His career, spanning over two decades, has not only taken him from the engineering bay to the boardroom but has positioned him as a respected thought leader across the aviation finance ecosystem. He also serves as Chief Commercial Officer at AFG Aviation Ireland, where he steers commercial strategy and leasing portfolios.
These roles place Deepak Sharma at the center of aviation finance, a space where engineering excellence meets business strategy—and where reputation is everything.
A Visionary With Boots on the Ground
Long before leading boardroom strategy sessions or structuring multimillion-dollar transactions, Sharma was known for his hands-on understanding of aircraft systems. His early roles at British Aerospace, Brymon Airways Engineering, and later UK International Airlines gave him real-time exposure to the pressure-cooker world of airline operations. As Engineering Director, he built UKIA’s engineering arm from scratch, launching flight operations and earning official recognition for excellence.
Later, at AJW Group, he served as Chief Technical Officer, helping transform the company’s operational strategy. At a global aviation services provider, he advanced to President of Integrated Solutions, overseeing a wide portfolio of assets and client accounts. These experiences shaped his approach to leadership: grounded, precise, and relentlessly practical.
“My strength is in distilling complexity,” he said. “I enjoy taking a technical, regulatory, or financial issue and mapping a clear way forward. That ability has helped us lead under pressure, especially in volatile markets. When your team is staring down difficult timelines, shifting regulations, or a fleet management crisis, they need clarity—not chaos. That’s where I thrive.”
Innovation With Purpose, Not Hype
In a time when digital transformation dominates headlines, Sharma remains selective about the tools his companies adopt. His approach to innovation is thoughtful and rooted in practical value.
“In aviation, there is no margin for gimmicks,” Sharma said. “We look for platforms and tools that improve clarity, reduce operational friction, and support human interaction—especially in contract management, diagnostics, and asset performance. Technology should never replace judgment; it should refine it. The most effective tools make us sharper and more human, not more robotic.”
Whether through digital lease platforms or advanced analytics, Sharma ensures that every adoption of technology aligns with the company’s core principles: integrity, foresight, and service.
At AFL, that commitment to clarity runs deep. The firm offers custom finance solutions, mid-life optimization for engines and airframes, and support for distressed asset recovery. Their ability to see opportunity where others see obstacles has won them the trust of global lessors and commercial operators alike.
The Power of Quiet Leadership
Deepak Sharma is not the type to chase the spotlight or speak in buzzwords. He prefers the power of example.
“I believe reputation is earned slowly and silently,” he said. “You cannot fake consistency, and your word must carry weight. That’s how long-term trust is built. It’s not just about showing up once—it’s about how you show up year after year, in times of calm and crisis alike.”
This philosophy guides his interactions with clients, peers, and partners. Transparency, tact, and timely delivery are non-negotiable values. When asked how he handles feedback, Sharma sees it as a professional gift.
“Criticism, when sincere, is a mirror,” he said. “It helps you adjust your posture before the stakes become too high. I take it seriously and act with humility. You have to be the kind of leader who values course correction over ego.”
He extends this mindset to his mentoring relationships and thought leadership contributions, investing in the next generation of aerospace professionals. A Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS), Sharma contributes to forums that explore not just the business of aviation but the ethics that drive it forward.
Global Strategy, Grounded Values
As a global executive, Sharma’s perspective is shaped by his exposure to emerging markets, cross-border regulation, and the intersection of capital, risk, and engineering. His companies maintain strong governance structures, high compliance standards, and robust risk management models.
“Protecting your name in this field means being prepared, not paranoid,” he said. “We build safeguards into every layer of our operations, from contracts to communications. It’s about anticipating challenges before they escalate—and responding with speed and substance when they do.”
At AFG Aviation Ireland, Sharma plays a pivotal role in commercial strategy, ensuring the company delivers value-added leasing and financing products to meet the evolving needs of modern aviation. His ability to see both granular detail and global consequence has helped the brand gain traction in highly competitive markets.
To stay ahead, Sharma remains committed to ongoing education and industry engagement.
“Relevance is about readiness,” he said. “I read, I listen, I connect. This is a fast-moving industry and we are only as good as our most recent decision.”
Charting the Skies of Tomorrow
Since founding AFL in 2019, Sharma has scaled the company into a cornerstone institution in aviation finance. With a comprehensive suite of bespoke products and a sharp eye for sustainable solutions, the company has pioneered strategic responses to some of the industry’s most complex challenges.
“I don’t believe in short-term wins,” Sharma said. “We aim for value that lasts—solutions that work in the real world, across economic cycles, for every stakeholder. That means asking hard questions, running rigorous models, and—most of all—listening to our clients.”
That also means cultivating trust, one decision at a time.
“Trust is the bedrock of this business,” he said. “You earn it by showing up, delivering precisely, and never compromising on your word. Relationships in this industry aren’t built on handshakes—they’re built on outcomes.”
From apprentice to aviation strategist, Sharma’s career reflects more than professional growth—it reflects the rise of a leader who listens, learns, and leads with conviction.
In an industry where complexity is constant, Deepak Sharma Aviation means stability. It means precision. And it means vision, grounded in principle and propelled by purpose.
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