Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has appointed Marc Fontaine, CEO of Helsing SAS, to its board of directors, effective October 21, 2026, according to a company statement.

Fontaine currently leads Helsing SAS, the French entity of Helsing, a European military AI company. He spent more than two decades at Airbus across its commercial aircraft, defence and space, and helicopter divisions. His roles at Airbus included Digital Transformation Officer, where he led a team of 2,000 people and launched Skywise, an aviation data platform. He also served as Company Secretary and Chief of Staff to the CEO, and held positions in business development and mergers and acquisitions.

The appointment is the third senior aerospace and defence addition to the Vertical Aerospace board in recent weeks. Former Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Fabrice Brégier was named chair, and former Leonardo Helicopters U.S. CEO Clyde Woltman was appointed as a director.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said Fontaine's "experience in aircraft programmes, digital transformation and defence will be invaluable as we advance Valo towards certification and prepare for commercial operations."

Fontaine, in a statement, noted that funding the path to certification and commercialization is the current priority and said he looks forward to working alongside Jefferies LLC, which Vertical retained on September 24, 2026, as financial advisor in connection with a review of strategic alternatives, including potential strategic and financial partnerships.

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