Vertical Aerospace adds former Leonardo Helicopters U.S. CEO to board

Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has appointed Clyde M. Woltman to its board of directors, effective October 5, 2026, according to a company statement.

Woltman previously served as chief executive of Leonardo Helicopters US, where he led a $1 billion business covering sales, engineering, certification, production, customer support, and research and development across the Americas, as well as U.S. Government and Foreign Military Sales programs globally.

Before Leonardo, he held senior roles at Aerojet Rocketdyne, now part of L3Harris Technologies, and Pratt & Whitney, overseeing defense and aerospace programs including the F135 propulsion system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. He is also a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel with command experience during combat operations.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said Woltman "brings an exceptional combination of aerospace leadership, industrial execution and direct experience with U.S. defence and international government communities at a pivotal stage in Vertical's development."

The appointment follows that of former Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Fabrice Brégier as chair of Vertical's board.

Separately, board members Carsten Stendevad and James Keith Brown have given notice of their intention to resign as directors, with their departures also taking effect on October 5, 2026.

Vertical Aerospace is developing the Valo, a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft, along with a hybrid-electric variant. The company reports approximately 1,500 pre-orders from customers including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL, and Japan Airlines.

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