Vertical Aerospace has appointed Clyde M. Woltman, the former chief executive of Leonardo Helicopters US, to its board of directors, effective 5 October. The Bristol-based eVTOL developer is adding an executive with experience across rotorcraft, certification, production and defence-linked aviation programmes as it pushes its aircraft towards commercialisation.
Woltman previously led Leonardo Helicopters US, where he oversaw a roughly $1 billion business spanning sales, engineering, certification, production, customer support and research and development across the Americas. His background also includes senior roles at Aerojet Rocketdyne and Pratt & Whitney, as well as service as a U.S. Marine Corps colonel.
The board move comes alongside further changes in Vertical’s governance. Former Airbus Commercial Aircraft chief executive Fabrice Brégier recently took over as chair, while Carsten Stendevad and James Keith Brown are due to step down from the board on the same day as Woltman’s appointment.
Vertical is building out its leadership as it advances its electric vertical take-off and landing programme and broadens its strategic focus to include hybrid-electric, autonomous and defence applications. The company is seeking to strengthen its aerospace credibility and governance as it works through certification and prepares for wider commercial opportunities.