Vallair has appointed Maxime Gorsse as director of investor relations & project financing.

Gorsse will advise Vallair on all capital expenditure decisions as well as sourcing and negotiating financing for Vallair assets and programmes. He will be based in Luxembourg.

Gorsse most recently worked for CHC Helicopter as senior manager of fleet transactions.

“For any capital-intensive programme, project financing is key,” said Vallair’s CEO Grégoire Lebigot. “Our cargo conversion programme is a prime example of this. As we look to further augment and expand this avenue, the requirement for regular funding has very much come to the fore.

“Maxime has the industry insight and financial expertise to source attractive debt or equity financing to support Vallair’s growth over the coming years and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Gorsse commented: “The Covid pandemic has had a significant impact on the aviation market. We are seeing key lending players on the debt and equity side exercising extreme caution with their investment decisions. Consequently, it is likely that the range of investors willing to provide financing in the short term will be limited to those already familiar with the freighter market and its resilience.

“This environment will certainly present challenges, however I am confident that Vallair’s wide and varied portfolio will have sustained investor appeal.”