From sales admin to Global Sales Director, Tom Shadbolt on solving aviation's toughest challenges
When an aircraft is waiting for a critical component, every minute counts. Behind the scenes, a global network of specialists work to source parts, coordinate logistics and get aircraft back in the air as quickly as possible.
For Tom Shadbolt, Global Sales Director of the Lessor Support Division at Artemis Aerospace, that’s exactly what makes the job so rewarding.
Having spent 13 years with the business, Tom has built a career around problem-solving, customer relationships and navigating the global aviation supply chain. We caught up with him to find out what’s involved in his fast-paced role.
What does a Global Sales Director in aviation actually do?
As Global Sales Director of Artemis Aerospace’s Lessor Support Division, I get to work with aircraft owners and leasing companies across the globe. Our team’s aircraft lessor support services include sourcing certified components, coordinating repairs, managing maintenance projects and helping customers navigate the complexities of the global aircraft parts supply network.
It’s about understanding what each customer needs and finding the right solution as quickly as possible.
No two days are the same
Every morning starts with checking whether any urgent issues have developed overnight. If there’s an emergency, that’s the priority. From there, the day usually involves co-ordinating a spider’s web of aerospace logistics, whether that’s working through customs paperwork, arranging international freight or managing the movement of engines and other large aircraft assets across multiple countries.
Ultimately, it’s all about resolving customer situations as quickly as possible and achieving the desired outcome.
Discovering a hidden industry
I didn’t plan a career in aviation. Before joining Artemis Aerospace, I worked in administration for a pharmaceutical company. I saw the job at Artemis Aerospace advertised and started researching the industry before my interview. Like a lot of people, I thought aviation was just airlines, but the more I learnt, the more fascinated I became. I realised it’s a whole ecosystem. There are thousands of companies working behind the scenes to keep aircraft flying and I couldn’t wait to be a part of it. The excitement has stayed with me ever since.
The best part of my role is helping customers overcome difficult situations. I genuinely enjoy solving problems. Sometimes it’s a major, time-critical situation and sometimes it’s something much smaller, but it’s incredibly satisfying when you can help.
Proudest moment
One of my proudest career achievements came as the aviation industry recovered from the Covid pandemic. When aircraft started returning to service, we suddenly had back-to-back projects happening all over the world. Some involved sourcing and managing up to 400 components to prepare aircraft for returning to operation.
We didn’t just cope – we rose to the challenge and thrived. The period transformed the business, with Artemis Aerospace supporting more customers than ever before, many arriving through word-of-mouth recommendations.
A hard-learned lesson
One of my biggest lessons came early on in my aviation career. A customer asked me to arrange transportation for an aircraft engine using equipment recommended by an external specialist. I trusted the advice of the experts, but the equipment turned out to be unsuitable, leaving the shipment unable to fly.
It was a hard lesson that taught me never to assume. Now I always ask a lot more questions and make sure we’ve verified every detail ourselves.
Looking ahead
In the coming months, I’ll be travelling to meet customers across Europe and Asia. I’m looking forward to attending Airline Economics in London before heading to MRO Asia-Pacific in Singapore, where I’ll be catching up with existing customers, meeting new contacts and keeping up to date with developments across the industry.
Those face-to-face conversations are invaluable. They help us build stronger relationships and understand how we can support customers even better.
Advice for anyone considering a sales director role in aviation
If you want every day to be the same, aviation probably isn’t for you. But if you enjoy learning, solving problems and pushing yourself, there are so many opportunities in the industry. Whether someone starts in sales, logistics or engineering, it’s a sector that rewards people who stay curious and embrace new challenges.
I started as a sales administrator and worked my way up. If you’re prepared to learn, you really can build an incredible career in aviation.
