Vertical Aerospace Taps Airbus Veteran to Drive eVTOL and Defence Push

Vertical Aerospace has appointed former Airbus chief Fabrice Brégier as chair to drive its eVTOL and defence push. The move, effective September 21, marks a significant governance shift for the company, which is targeting certification and commercialization of its Valo platform.

Brégier brings over three decades of senior experience in complex aircraft programs, AI-driven defence technology, and international growth to the role. He will be responsible for driving Vertical's accelerated commercial and defence strategy, building on recent technical progress and interest from governments like the UK Ministry of Defence.

The company has also made significant operational milestones, including advances in hybrid propulsion integration testing and autonomous flight through its Near Earth Autonomy collaboration. Vertical is working with partners such as Honeywell Aerospace to support airspace integration of eVTOL operations in Europe and has launched the UK-backed ECLiPSE program to develop next-generation battery charging systems.

The appointment comes amid analyst predictions that Vertical's stock price will reach $5.00, with some analysts expressing concerns about the company's financial performance and valuation.