Vertical Aerospace, the British developer of electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, named former Airbus Commercial Aircraft division chief executive Fabrice Bregier as chair of its board of directors on Monday. The appointment was announced alongside a rise of as much as 5.7% in Vertical’s shares during pre‑market trading.
Why Bregier’s experience matters
Bregier brings more than a decade of senior aerospace leadership to the role. From 2012 to 2018 he served as CEO of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft unit and previously held the position of chief operating officer, where he oversaw the development of the A350 programme and helped steer the company through a major operational turnaround. After leaving Airbus, he served as president of Palantir Technologies France from 2018 until 2024.
Vertical’s product roadmap
The company’s flagship all‑electric, four‑passenger aircraft, called Valo, is already in testing phases. In addition, Vertical is developing a hybrid‑electric variant that promises greater range and mission flexibility, positioning the firm to serve both civilian and defense customers.
Industry context
Vertical’s move comes at a time when eVTOL manufacturers are racing to secure regulatory approvals ahead of commercial launches. Companies in the sector are also turning their attention to the military market, attracted by rising defense spending and the longer development timelines associated with civilian certification.
Board continuity
Ben Story, who has acted as interim chair since May, will remain on the board as a member, ensuring continuity as the company transitions to its new leadership structure.
Market reaction
Investors responded positively to the announcement, with Vertical’s stock climbing nearly 6% in early trading. Analysts noted that Bregier’s deep industry knowledge and proven track record could help accelerate the company’s path to commercial viability and strengthen its position in a rapidly evolving market.
Vertical Aerospace continues to pursue partnerships and certification milestones that could bring its eVTOL solutions to market within the next few years, aiming to reshape regional transportation and provide new options for both civilian travel and defense operations.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
