The HAECO Group has announced the appointment of Tom Owen as Group Director Corporate Development, effective January 2026.
Owen brings more than 30 years of aviation industry experience to the role, having held senior leadership positions across sales, revenue management, logistics and regional operations in Hong Kong and internationally. Most recently, he served as Director Cargo at Cathay, where he led the cargo business to record financial and operational performance while accelerating digital transformation initiatives.
In his new position, Owen will be responsible for shaping HAECO’s long-term strategic direction, leading the Group’s information technology and digital transformation agenda, and advancing its sustainability commitments. He will also focus on strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, including joint venture partners and government authorities, to support HAECO’s continued growth as a global MRO services provider.
Richard Sell, Chief Executive Officer of the HAECO Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tom to HAECO as a key member of the Group leadership team. His extensive industry knowledge and global perspective will be invaluable as we continue to expand our footprint in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other strategic markets. Tom’s proven leadership will play an important role in driving sustainable growth across the Group.”
Owen joined the Swire Group in 1995 and has spent the majority of his career at Cathay, holding roles across marketing, sales and distribution, network revenue management, and regional leadership in markets including Korea, Canada, the United States and South Asia. In 2015, he was appointed Director People, where he led a comprehensive modernisation of the Cathay Group’s human resources functions.
The HAECO Group also paid tribute to Summit Chan, who retired as Group Director Corporate Development in December 2025. During his tenure, Chan played a key role in strengthening HAECO’s technological and sustainability capabilities, overseeing initiatives such as drone-assisted aircraft inspections, the deployment of autonomous robots, and the launch of Hong Kong’s largest single-site solar panel installation. Under his leadership, HAECO Xiamen also became the world’s first civil aircraft maintenance facility to achieve LEED Platinum certification.
HAECO thanked Chan for his contributions and wished him continued success in his future endeavours.