Howard Millar was appointed COO of the Stellwagen Group, the holding company that includes Aviation Finance Company and Seraph Aviation Management. Millar also will serve as CEO of Stellwagen Capital, a newly formed subsidiary.

Millar is the former deputy chief executive and chief financial officer of Ryanair Holdings, Europe’s largest airline, with a market capitalization of $21 billion, where he served in a number of senior roles over 23 years. Millar is currently a non-executive director of Ryanair Holdings.

“I can think of no better person to lead our team of investment professionals than Howard Millar,” said Douglas Brennan, CEO of the Stellwagen Group. “He brings game changing ability to the group with 23 years’ experience in aviation, including raising capital in the public and debt markets, using a range of financial products, while propelling Ryanair to become the largest and most profitable airline in Europe.

“Howard will work closely with me as COO to drive the operating and financial performance of the Group. As CEO of our new subsidiary Stellwagen Capital, Howard will lead this innovative financing vehicle in raising capital from both the debt markets and from large institutional investors mainly, in Europe and the U.S. This capital will enable the group to provide secured aircraft financing to airlines across the globe. This is a big step forward in the evolution of the group and we expect Stellwagen Capital to launch its initial capital raise of $1 billion in Q4/2016.”