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Vertical Aerospace Further Strengthens Board With Appointment of Former Airbus Executive Marc Fontaine, CEO of Helsing France

Airbus

Third senior aerospace and defence appointment in recent weeks, following the former Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO as Chair and the former Leonardo Helicopters U.S. CEO to the Board

LONDON & NEW YORK, October 21, 2026--Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, today announced the appointment of Marc Fontaine to its Board of Directors, effective 21 October 2026.

Mr. Fontaine currently serves as CEO of Helsing SAS, the French entity of Helsing, the European leader in military AI. He brings more than two decades of experience at Airbus across its commercial aircraft, defence and space, and helicopter businesses.

Before joining Helsing, Mr. Fontaine served as Digital Transformation Officer at Airbus, where he led a team of 2,000 and launched Skywise, its aviation data platform. His previous roles at Airbus include Company Secretary and Chief of Staff to the CEO, alongside positions in business development and mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Fontaine's appointment follows those of former Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Fabrice Brégier as Chair of Vertical's Board and former Leonardo Helicopters U.S. CEO Clyde Woltman as a director. As previously announced on 24 September 2026, Vertical has also retained Jefferies LLC as its financial advisor in connection with its review of strategic alternatives, including potential strategic and financial partnerships to advance the next stage of development.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said:

"Marc knows what it takes to introduce new technologies across a complex aerospace business. His experience in aircraft programmes, digital transformation and defence will be invaluable as we advance Valo towards certification and prepare for commercial operations. Marc's decision to join, following Fabrice and Clyde, shows how seasoned aerospace and defence leaders view Vertical and Valo. I'm delighted to welcome him to the Board."

Marc Fontaine, Non-Executive Director, Vertical Aerospace, said:

"I joined Vertical's Board because of what this team has already achieved. Valo is one of the most capable aircraft in its category, and it is being certified to the highest safety standard in the eVTOL category, the same level of safety required of large commercial airliners.

Its architecture is designed to take a hybrid-electric powertrain, opening up extended-range missions and defence and other dual-use applications. The priority now is funding the path to certification and commercialisation, and I look forward to working with Fabrice, the Board and the leadership team, alongside Jefferies, to secure it."

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