Vertical Aerospace Appoints Former Airbus Chief as Board Chair

Vertical Aerospace appointed Fabrice Bregier as the chair of its board of directors on September 21, 2026. Bregier brings extensive aviation leadership experience, having served as the chief executive of the Airbus Commercial Aircraft division from 2012 to 2018 and as president of Palantir Technologies France from 2018 to 2024.

The leadership change comes as the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) sector faces slower-than-expected commercial development. Consequently, companies in the space are increasingly competing for regulatory approvals and expanding into military markets. Vertical Aerospace is currently developing the Valo, an all-electric four-passenger piloted aircraft, alongside a hybrid-electric variant intended for longer range.

Shares of Vertical Aerospace rose up to 5.7% in premarket trade following the announcement. Ben Story, who has served as the interim chair since May, will remain a member of the board.