Elizabeth Bowen

Elizabeth Bowen was appointed Director of Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI) in November 2023, taking responsibility for the representative voice within Ibec's Financial Services Ireland Group for the aircraft leasing industry. ALI represents a sector of strategic importance to Ireland's economy: Irish-based companies manage approximately €90 billion worth of aircraft, helicopters and engines leased mainly to airlines around the world.

Bowen is a graduate of University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Social Science, studied at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and obtained a postgraduate diploma in Business Studies from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. She recently completed TU Dublin's Certificate in Corporate Sustainability ESG.

Career history

• Director, Aircraft Leasing Ireland (Ibec) – 2023 to present
• Public Affairs Lead, Small Firms' Association (SFA) – where she developed policies on access to finance, tax, and environmental and social governance
• Interim Director, Small Firms' Association (SFA/Ibec affiliate)
• Director of Prepared Consumer Foods, Food Drink Ireland (Ibec) – 2016 onwards
• Political advisor to a Government TD in the Houses of the Oireachtas, and roles with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in London

In her current role, Bowen has become a visible advocate for Ireland's aviation leasing sector. She emphasizes that the industry is responsible for 8,543 full-time equivalent jobs, an economic contribution of $975 million annually, and spending with Irish suppliers of $327 million each year. Bowen has cited Ireland's rich aviation heritage, highly skilled talent pool, comprehensive double tax treaty network and pro-enterprise policies as key factors enabling Ireland to develop an internationally orientated and fast-growing industry. She has also highlighted Ireland's "unmatched" position as a location for aircraft leasing expertise and the importance of bringing the next generation of talent through the industry.

What Elizabeth Bowen could bring to Aircraft Leasing Ireland: Drawing on her multi-sectoral advocacy experience across food and drink, small business, and public affairs—combined with her established government and institutional relationships—Bowen brings strategic communication capabilities and policy expertise to the aircraft leasing sector at a critical juncture. Her background suggests she is positioned to advocate for regulatory stability, talent development infrastructure, and sustainability initiatives while managing the sector's public profile during periods of global aviation volatility.