Vertical Aerospace names ex-Leonardo Helicopters CEO to its 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 Officer of Leonardo Helicopters US, where he oversaw 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, where he worked on 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 the appointment reflects the company's focus on "disciplined execution, expanding our platform across hybrid-electric, autonomous and defence applications."

Woltman's appointment follows that of former Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Fabrice Brégier, who was named 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 set to take effect on October 5, 2026.

You May Also Be Interested In

• PepsiCo and Taco Bell renew U.S. beverage deal through 2036
• Vertical Aerospace adds former Airbus executive Marc Fontaine to board
• Citi says housing sector contraction deepens as rates hit 7.5%