Chairman & Executive Team

Noriyuki (Nori) Hiruta assumed the position of Chairman of SMBC Aviation Capital in May 2023. Prior to this, he held the position of General Manager of the Lease & Business Development Department at Sumitomo Corporation (SC) Tokyo. During his career between 1989 and 2023, he has held a number of roles in SC, including General Manager of the Aircraft & Engine Leasing Department, General Manager of the Aerospace Business Department SC Europe and Joint General Manager of the Aviation Capital Department SMFL.

Nori was also a key member of the acquisition team who managed the takeover of SMBC Aviation Capital from RBS in 2012, where he worked as Manager in the Leasing Business Department at SC Tokyo.

Nori holds a Bachelor of Economics from Osaka University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Aisling started her career as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young in Dublin. She joined SMBC Aviation Capital in 2012 as Senior Vice President, Finance, managing the finance function, with responsibility for financial reporting and financial operations. From 2017 to 2018, Aisling held the role of Head of Funding and Corporate Tax on an interim basis, with responsibility for SMBC Aviation Capital’s third-party funding program, investor relations and its tax department. In 2021, she spent a year working in the Restructuring team of SMBC Aviation Capital, with responsibility for the negotiation of airline restructurings. In November 2021, Aisling was appointed Chief Financial Officer with responsibility for corporate finance, treasury, financial reporting, tax and information technology. Prior to joining SMBC Aviation Capital, Aisling held a management position in the Banking and Leasing audit department of Ernst &Young. Aisling holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters in Accounting, both from University College Dublin and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Barry began his career as a chartered accountant with Coopers and Lybrand in Dublin and the Cayman Islands. He joined the company that became SMBC Aviation Capital in 1997 and initially had responsibility for Airline Marketing in Asia and Business and Risk Management. He was promoted to Head of Structured Solutions in 2003 with responsibility for capital markets activities including financing, distribution and tax based structures. He was appointed to the board of directors in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer in 2007. Barry assumed his current position as Chief Commercial Officer in July 2021, with responsibility for origination and execution of all commercial relationships and transactions with airlines, aircraft investors, portfolio risk management and OEMs. Barry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics from Trinity College Dublin and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.