Willis Lease Finance Corporation Welcomes Steven Bridgland as Head of Investor Relations & Capital Markets for Willis Aviation Capital
Rhea-AI Summary
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) appointed Steven Bridgland as Head of Investor Relations & Capital Markets for its new asset manager, Willis Aviation Capital, effective Jan. 22, 2026.
Bridgland will manage day-to-day investor relationships, develop new investors and support capital deployment. He brings more than 30 years of experience in equity and debt capital markets, fund structuring, investor relations and aviation finance, including 17 years in senior capital markets roles at Deucalion Aviation and prior roles at DVB, RBC Capital Markets and Greenwich NatWest.
Management says Bridgland’s global institutional relationships and fund structuring experience will support the launch and growth of Willis Aviation Capital.
Positive
- Named Steven Bridgland Head of IR & Capital Markets
- Brings 30+ years of aviation finance experience
- Spent 17 years in senior capital markets roles at Deucalion Aviation
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – WLFC
On the day this news was published, WLFC gained 4.35%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
WLFC was up 3.01% with multiple rental/leasing peers also positive: HTZ +7.5%, CTOS +2.87%, PRG +1.58%, VSTS +1.21%, while RCII was flat, indicating a supportive sector backdrop.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 20 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -4.3% | Announced <b>$0.40</b> quarterly cash dividend with supportive management commentary. |
| Jan 06 | New business launch | Positive | +2.4% | Launched Willis Aviation Capital to manage third‑party aviation assets and funds. |
| Jan 05 | Strategic partnership | Positive | +5.8% | Announced aircraft engine leasing partnership with Blackstone targeting over <b>$1B</b> deployment. |
| Dec 23 | Debt financing | Positive | +2.8% | Closed private offering of <b>$392.9M</b> fixed rate notes secured by engine portfolio. |
| Dec 18 | Credit partnership | Positive | -0.2% | Formed Liberty Mutual partnership to provide up to <b>$600M</b> for credit strategy. |
WLFC has often traded higher on positive strategic and financing news, while dividend and capital-allocation items have occasionally seen mixed or negative reactions.
Over the past few months, WLFC has highlighted several capital and asset‑management milestones. On Dec 18, 2025 it announced a Liberty Mutual partnership for up to $600 million, followed by a $392.9 million fixed‑rate notes deal disclosed on Dec 23, 2025. Early January brought the creation of Willis Aviation Capital and an aircraft engine leasing partnership with Blackstone targeting over $1 billion in deployments. On Jan 20, 2026 the company declared a $0.40 quarterly dividend. Today’s leadership hire ties directly into scaling these newer managed-funds and capital markets initiatives.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement introduces an experienced Head of Investor Relations & Capital Markets for Willis Aviation Capital, the newly created asset manager platform. The hire connects directly to WLFC’s recent focus on third‑party asset management, structured financings, and large credit partnerships. Investors may monitor how this role supports fund formation, capital deployment, and institutional relationships, especially alongside recent note offerings, strategic partnerships, and dividend actions highlighted in prior company disclosures.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation services, today announced the appointment of Steven Bridgland as Head of Investor Relations & Capital Markets for its recently announced asset manager, Willis Aviation Capital. In this role, Steve will lead day-to-day management of Willis Aviation Capital’s existing investor relationships, continue development of new investor relationships and support capital deployment efforts.
With more than three decades of experience, Steve brings extensive expertise in equity and debt capital markets, fund establishment and structuring, investor relations, and aviation finance. He has held senior leadership roles across banks, investment banks, and aircraft asset management and leasing platforms, including seventeen years in senior capital markets and origination roles at Deucalion Aviation, as well as with DVB, RBC Capital Markets, and Greenwich NatWest. Steve is widely recognized for his deep global relationships with institutional investors and his cross-border experience structuring aviation funds and joint ventures for investors across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
“Steve’s background in aviation finance, funds and investor relationship management speaks for itself and we are very excited to welcome him to support the launch of Willis Aviation Capital,” said Brian R. Hole, Global Head of Managed Funds & Credit at WLFC. “Most importantly, Steve embodies the trustworthiness and integrity that always will feature in our work for investors and with Willis Lease Finance.”
About Willis Lease Finance Corporation
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Additionally, through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Willis Aviation Services Limited, and Jet Centre by Willis, the company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are subject to change in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed, either expressly or implicitly, in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and natural disasters; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors, as well as the impact of new or increased tariffs; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
| CONTACT: | Lynn Mailliard Kohler |
| Director, Global Corporate Communications | |
| (415) 328-4798 | |
| lkohler@willislease.com |
FAQ
Who did Willis Lease Finance (WLFC) appoint on January 22, 2026?
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