Vertical Aerospace Appoints Former Airbus Executive Marc Fontaine to Board
Why It MattersAdding a veteran Airbus digital and strategy executive while a financial advisor is retained points to an eVTOL developer shifting emphasis from engineering toward funding and certification readiness.
Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a Bristol, UK-based developer of electric aircraft, has appointed former Airbus executive Marc Fontaine to its Board of Directors, effective October 21, 2026. The company is advancing certification of its Valo electric aircraft and evaluating financing and strategic partnerships to support commercialization.
Fontaine is currently CEO of Helsing SAS, the French subsidiary of European defense artificial intelligence company Helsing. He has more than 20 years of experience at Airbus across commercial aircraft, defense and space, helicopters, digital technology and corporate strategy. At Airbus he was Digital Transformation Officer, leading a team of approximately 2,000 employees and launching Skywise, the manufacturer's aviation data platform, and he also served as Company Secretary and Chief of Staff to the CEO. Vertical CEO Stuart Simpson said Fontaine's experience would support efforts to advance Valo through certification and prepare for commercial operations. Fontaine said the priority now is funding the path to certification and commercialisation, and that he intends to work with the board, management and Jefferies on that process.
He joins a board that includes chairman Fabrice Brégier, former Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO, and director Clyde Woltman, former CEO of Leonardo Helicopters' U.S. business. On September 24, 2026, Vertical announced it had retained Jefferies LLC as financial advisor to evaluate potential strategic and financial partnerships.
Valo is a piloted electric aircraft designed to carry four passengers with zero emissions during flight, and the company is also working on a hybrid-electric variant to extend range and mission flexibility, potentially supporting defense and other dual-use missions. Vertical reports approximately 1,500 pre-orders from customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines, with certain obligations expected to be fulfilled through third-party agreements. Deliveries depend on completing development, obtaining certification and establishing the operational infrastructure to support customers.
