The Appraiser of the Year
Airline Economics Aviation 100
Global Leaders Awards 2026
Why vote for Cirium Ascend Consultancy?
Cirium Ascend Consultancy is trusted by clients across the aviation industry to provide accurate, timely, and insightful aircraft appraisals. The appraisers provide the valuations and analysis needed to understand market outlook, evaluate risks, and identify opportunities.
Independent, objective and transparent, our team is committed providing appraisals the industry can rely on.
Unmatched Accuracy
Ascend Consultancy research applies sophisticated modelling and robust analysis to extensive data, ensuring value and lease rate opinions align closely to the market.
Worldwide Presence
Based across three continents with access to top tier market participants around the world, our team combines a regional presence with a truly global perspective.
Market-Leading Expertise
As the industry’s largest team of ISTAT/ASA certified appraisers, we provide thousands of valuations to leading airlines, top lessors, major banks, MROs, OEMs and regulatory bodies.
Cast your vote for Cirium Ascend Consultancy as Appraiser of the Year 2026
A year at Cirium Ascend Consultancy
9
ISTAT/ASA Certified Appraisers
>700
Reports delivered
>8,000
Assets desktop
appraised
>1.1 million
Asset values delivered
to the market
How to vote
- Fill out the Airline Economics Aviation 100 Global Leaders Awards survey.
- Select ‘Cirium Ascend Consultancy’ on question 18: Which company provided the best appraisal services for the aviation industry in 2025?
- Complete the survey to submit your vote.
Meet the award-winning team
Stephen Burnside
Global head of consultancy
George Dimitroff
Head of Valuations, ISTAT Certified Appraiser
Chris Wills
Head of Consultancy Operations, ISTAT Certified Senior Appraiser
Joanna Lu
Head of Consultancy Asia
Daniel Hall
Senior Valuation Consultant, ISTAT Certified Appraiser, ASA Senior Appraiser
Herman Tse
Valuations Manager
Lalitya Dhavala
Valuations Manager
Yiru Zhang
Senior Valuations Analyst, ASA Accredited Appraiser (AM)
Connect with the Consultancy team
Schedule a Consultation
Rob Morris
Global head of consultancy
Rob’s 30 years of experience as a commercial aviation analyst has made him one of the most in-demand and respected experts in the industry. Prior to joining Ascend by Cirium, Rob was vice-president, marketing and analysis at BAE Systems Asset Management in Hatfield, where he was responsible for market and strategy analysis in support of the regional aircraft lessor’s business winning process. Rob has also worked in the aerospace team at the UK Government’s Department of Trade and Industry, where he managed all aspects of market analysis and forecasting in support of the UK’s investment in a wide range of commercial aircraft and aero-engine programs. He began his aviation career in 1990 as a marketing executive at British Aerospace (Regional Aircraft).
Rob Morris
Global head of consultancy
Rob’s 30 years of experience as a commercial aviation analyst has made him one of the most in-demand and respected experts in the industry. Prior to joining Ascend by Cirium, Rob was vice-president, marketing and analysis at BAE Systems Asset Management in Hatfield, where he was responsible for market and strategy analysis in support of the regional aircraft lessor’s business winning process. Rob has also worked in the aerospace team at the UK Government’s Department of Trade and Industry, where he managed all aspects of market analysis and forecasting in support of the UK’s investment in a wide range of commercial aircraft and aero-engine programs. He began his aviation career in 1990 as a marketing executive at British Aerospace (Regional Aircraft).
George Dimitroff
Head of valuations, ISTAT Appraiser
George is an ISTAT Certified Appraiser who oversees all value and lease rate opinions, and leads the annual future value and lease rate forecasting process. He has worked with the majority of lessors, banks, manufacturers, a number of airlines, and previously worked at Airbus and United Airlines.
Chris Wills
Head of consultancy operations, ISTAT certified senior appraiser
Chris facilitates management of the global teams, delivery, valuations, methodology, operating procedures, training and strategic planning. Chris is a Senior ISTAT-accredited appraiser, with focus on commercial aircraft, helicopters and flight simulators.
Joanna Lu
Head of consultancy Asia
Joanna is a trusted advisor to governments, regulators, investors, OEMs, airlines and airports. She is experienced in providing high quality advisory services and helping clients to find solutions in addressing the most complicated issues. Joanna specializes in airport planning and design, airline and airport strategic planning, OEM market studies, network development, environmental impact assessment and cargo market analysis. Joanna has intricate knowledge of industry regulations in the global aviation market, in particular, Asia.
Daniel Hall
Senior valuation consultant, ISTAT certified appraiser, ASA senior appraiser
Daniel is dual certified as both an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and a Certified Appraiser with ISTAT. Based in Ascend by Cirium’s New York office, Daniel has a comprehensive knowledge of the commercial and business aviation sectors.
Daniel is involved in aircraft appraisals and valuations, consulting and business development, market insight and thought leadership. Daniel works with the major players in aircraft finance including banks, manufacturers, leasing companies and airline operators. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences. After graduating from Loughborough University with a BSc in Air Transport Management, Daniel joined Ascend’s London team in 2010.
Herman Tse
Valuations manager
Herman has had wide experience in aviation, including stints at a ground handling agency, airport authority and cargo airline before joining Cirium in November 2018. He focuses primarily on advisory services. His expertise is in airport and airline strategic planning, air network development, fleet planning and aviation market analysis. He is also passionate in aviation education and is a lecturer of an aviation degree program in Hong Kong.
Herman holds an MBA and Master degree in Engineering Enterprise Management from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and BSc (Hons) Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies from University of Salford. He is also a Project Management Professional (PMP). Herman is based in Hong Kong.
Lalitya Dhavala
Valuations manager
Lalitya works in the Heathrow office as a Valuations Manager.
Prior to joining Cirium, Lalitya was based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where she worked in aviation insurance loss adjusting conducting claims adjustments, technical reviews, incident investigations across commercial, business, fixed and rotary wing sectors, and developing business in the Middle East. She holds a Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering and a Master’s degree in Aviation Safety.
Lalitya recognized early on the importance of continuing professional development and networking, and to this end, she volunteers for the Royal Aeronautical Society as a Council Member and as Chair of the Membership Services Board. She is also passionate about improving diversity in the industry, and was recognized by IATA as the 2021 Highflyer for D&I.
Yiru Zhang
Senior valuations analyst
Yiru is certified as an Accredited Appraiser (AM) with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). Based in Cirium Ascend’s New York office, Yiru is primarily involved with commercial, business aircraft, and engine valuations, and is responsible for delivering desktop appraisals, market analysis and market commentaries. Yiru is also developing her specialism in the Air Advance Mobility (AAM) sector.
Before joining Cirium in 2021, Yiru completed her Bachelor’s in Aviation Supply Chain Management in both Civil Aviation University of China and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Master’s in Aviation Finance from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She also holds an aviation finance and leasing certification under the ISTAT University program. Yiru speaks multiple languages including Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese), English, and Korean.