Willis Lease, a commercial aircraft engines and provider of global aviation service operations, appointed Amy Ruddock in the newly created role of senior vice president, sustainable aviation and corporate development. Ruddock will be responsible for delivering and growing Willis Lease’s sustainable aviation business while also overseeing corporate development.

“We are thrilled to welcome Amy to our leadership team,” Austin C. Willis, CEO of Willis Lease, said. “As we continue to expand our services businesses, we have recruited Amy for her deep expertise in sustainable aviation and her proven track record in project development and technology implementation.”

Ruddock will be instrumental in driving Willis Sustainable Fuels’ UK sustainable aviation fuel project in Tees Valley, England, which is currently in the advanced planning stage and supported by the UK’s advanced fuels fund. Additionally, she will contribute to broader global strategic initiatives.

Ruddock most recently served as vice president of EMEA at Carbon Engineering, a company in direct air capture technology. Previously, as vice president of corporate development and sustainability at Virgin Atlantic, she was significantly involved in shaping the airline’s carbon strategy and its £1.2 billion ($1.55 billion) recapitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to Virgin Atlantic, Ruddock spent a decade at Boston Consulting Group, where she led aviation-focused projects across EMEA and North America in strategy, transformation, operations and commercial development. Ruddock holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and natural sciences from the University of Cambridge.

“I am delighted to join WLFC at such an exciting time for the aviation industry,” Ruddock said. “With the company’s innovative spirit and ambition to play a leading role in industry decarbonization, I look forward to contributing to WLFC’s continued success and driving forward our shared vision for the future of aviation.”