Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG EXECUTIVE MBA

Reaching For The Skies

By Tina Sim

Chris Lloyd is a veteran in the global civil helicopter industry, with extensive experience and networks in helicopter sales, finance, leasing and operations. He is currently Managing Partner of Aero Infinity Pte Ltd, a new venture established to finance and invest primarily in the Asia and Oceania region in preferred fixed and rotary wing aircraft transactions in the General Aviation (GA) markets. His other hats include: a director at Asian Corporate Aviation Management (ACAM), an established corporate jet management company located in Singapore and Indonesia; and founder of Lloyd Marine, which owns and manages the largest fleet of luxury yachts available for charter in Singapore.

He recently obtained an Executive MBA with an Aviation track from Nanyang Business School (NBS). He was attracted to this particular programme because it allowed participants to specialise in several areas. Within the Aviation and Air Transport track, he spent three weeks at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Geneva, followed by four more aviation-specific modules at NBS. (The EMBA also offers tracks into Hospitality Management and General Management.)

The EMBA tied in with the current demands of his career. Chris sees potential in the leasing and financing business in GA, especially in Asia where it is relatively new. He said: “Leasing in commercial aviation is very established, but for several reasons it has not caught on to the same extent in GA.” He is launching a fund to redress this gap – and that is where the EMBA fits in: “I got a lot out of the programme. It helped me directly as I have moved into the financial side of the business in the setting up of a leasing fund. I have a better general understanding and appreciation of many of the finance-related aspects of the industry. My best learning moments would include the IATA segments and broadly speaking, the financial modules.”

While he had always had a keen interest in the aviation industry, and this was where the family business was sited, it was not until he had finished his bachelor degree that he decided to enter the industry. He started his career with Aerolift International and subsequently became GM of Lloyd Helicopters based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; then MD of Lloyd Helicopters Asia based in Singapore. Chris is a formidable salesman and broker. Through the Lloyd group, Chris has sold over 350 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and structured leases of offshore helicopters into China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia amongst others.

Chris has spent most of his working life in the helicopter industry. He reflects that the industry had changed a lot since he joined. In the latter years, it became clear to him that smaller companies were being bought up and merged to form a handful of larger, stronger companies, which the smaller independents could not compete with. It was against this backdrop that he decided to embark on his EMBA. One of the most satisfying moments for him as a result of that was the decision made during his EMBA studies – to sell the family business to an American private equity firm – it became a real-life case study.

He added though, “Going back to school also yielded some terrible moments for me. It had been twenty-four years since I had last been a student, so I had a shock when sitting for the first exam. It took me a while to start writing whilst my cohort, many of whom were a lot younger, were scribbling away furiously. For a moment, I thought I had made a mistake doing this EMBA.” Fortunately, he was able to pull himself together to put pen to paper and completed the exam. He has not looked back since, and made it to the Dean’s List for the Class of 2016.

His advice to those deciding on an MBA or EMBA programme:

“Be sure you have industry experience before you enter this course, in order to fully understand the material and to be engaged in the discussions; and also to have that level of confidence when mixing with your cohort, many of whom are industry leaders.”

“Be prepared to get out of your comfort zone and open yourself up to new challenges, which will maximise your learning.”

“As well as clearing the time required for the intense study with your employer, you need to get buy-in from your family – everyone has to sacrifice in order for you to achieve your goal; and it is a lot easier and more satisfying if you have the full support of your loved ones behind you.”

To the young person starting out in his career:

“Be adventurous, push the boundaries and extend yourself. If you don’t have a family yet and thus less commitments, take risks and do what you want to do. Follow your passion; it is a lot easier at the start of your career than when you are settled with a family and have a mortgage to consider.”

Chris Lloyd. Managing Partner, Aero Infinity. Nanyang EMBA Class of 2016 (Aviation track)

The Nanyang Executive MBA is a part-time 13-months programme that is designed for senior leaders aspiring to innovate and transform the way they lead. The programme aims to embrace the connection between business, technology, and innovation to deliver a relevant curriculum to business leaders to excel in global environments and adapt to each new wave of digital change.

Download the Nanyang Executive MBA brochure

Click here to learn more about the Nanyang Executive MBA programme or contact us at execmba@ntu.edu.sg.