Victor appoints new SVP for expanding US market
Private jet charter marketplace Victor has appointed an SVP with “aviation in his veins” to spearhead its US expansion.
Jean De Looz (pictured below) is the London-based company’s new senior vice president for North America. He has responsibility for regional sales and operator relationships, and leads broader strategy and management of Victor’s US business.
“Jean has aviation in his veins,” said Guy Winterflood, Victor’s COO. “He’s a proven business leader with rich experience in selling and managing high-value, private aviation services. His passion for delivering world-class charter, his significant track record, and his hunger to continually innovate and improve things are all qualities that I’m confident will help drive further growth and success for Victor in North America.”
De Looz joins Victor from Dassault Falcon Jet, where he spent more than five years in its eastern (US and Canada) aircraft sales division. Prior to that, he held senior charter sales, aircraft management and consultancy roles at Meridian Air Charter. He’s also a qualified commercial pilot and instructor, and holds an MBA from the INSEAD business school.
His appointment comes at a pivotal time for Victor. The company closed a $20 million Series B investment deal, led by BP Ventures, in September and saw a threefold increase in bookings in the US during the first six months of 2017. Last month it was 33rd in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 list and ranks 113th in this year’s FT 1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies. And last year, sales growth of 946% won it the internet category at the Deloitte UK Tech Fast 50 awards, and made it one of Deloitte’s EMEA Tech Fast 500 brands.
De Looz heads a team of 25 sourcing, flight management, marketing and customer service specialists at Victor’s new US headquarters in New York. The team has more than doubled this year and “provides Victor with a strong platform for further US growth”, according to a company spokesman.
De Looz said: “Victor is a pivotal and pioneering player in the private aviation space. Having just closed a $20 million Series B investment with BP as lead investor, it is well placed to keep disrupting and advancing the market.
“I’m thrilled to be joining at such a key stage of Victor’s unique journey. I look forward to sharing my many years of experience in charter, aircraft management, sales and flight operations with the team, and continuing to develop Victor’s service and reach within North America.”
