Vertical Aerospace has appointed former Airbus Commercial Aircraft chief executive Fabrice Brégier as chair of its board, effective immediately. The move adds a senior aerospace executive to the eVTOL developer’s leadership as it pursues commercialisation of its aircraft programme and advances its defence strategy.
Brégier previously led Airbus Commercial Aircraft and also served as chief operating officer of Airbus Group and president of Airbus Commercial Aircraft. Vertical’s board approved the appointment and expanded from eight to nine directors. Ben Story, who had been interim chair since May, will remain on the board as a non-executive director.
The appointment comes as Vertical continues work on its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft programme and seeks to strengthen governance around its next phase of development. The company has positioned the board change as part of a broader effort to support its commercial and defence ambitions.