New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOVR) has appointed Tom Hearne to its Board of Directors and as Chair of the Audit Committee, effective September 4, 2026, according to a company statement.

Hearne succeeds Trisha Nomura, who resigned from the board and her role as Audit Committee Chair on the same date for personal reasons. The company stated her departure was not the result of any disagreement regarding operations, policies, or financial reporting. Nomura will remain available in an advisory capacity and continues to hold shares in the company.

Hearne has more than 30 years of experience as a senior executive and board member at public and private technology companies. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and director of ARB Labs, an artificial intelligence company serving the gaming industry, and as a director and Audit Committee Chair of publicly traded Enthusiast Gaming Holdings.

Previously, he held the role of Chief Executive Officer at Tiidal Gaming Group, Chief Financial Officer at London Stock Exchange-listed Sportech PLC, and Chief Financial Officer at Score Media. He has been involved in financings totaling more than $500 million during his career. Hearne holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Horizon Aircraft is a Canadian aerospace company developing a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the Cavorite X7, which it says is designed to fly most of its mission in traditional wing-borne flight.