Former Airbus Commercial Aircraft Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fabrice Brégier has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors at Vertical Aerospace.
The appointment, effective September 21, 2026, represents a significant addition to the startup’s steering organ since Brégier is recognized as one of the industry’s managerial heavyweights in Europe.
The French executive led Airbus’ largest business unit, its Commercial Aircraft arm, between 2012 and 2016. Then, from 2017 to 2018, also served as Chief Operating Officer of Airbus Group and President of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
Prior to that, Brégier played a key role in the development of the A350 widebody airliner, as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Airbus from 2006 to 2012.
Earlier than that he led Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) as CEO and President as well as Matra BAe Dynamics (now MBDA).
After leaving the European aircraft maker, Brégier has held a number of senior roles at other prominent aerospace and defense companies, including the French subsidiary of Palantir Technologies, where he served as President from 2018 to 2024, and engine maker Safran, where he holds the role as a non-executive director.
He also serves on the board of two large French corporations outside aerospace, energy provider ENGIE, and insurance and reinsurance firm SCOR SE, the latter as a chair.
“Vertical has reached an exciting point in its journey. The progress the team has made in flight testing demonstrates the maturity of its technology, while its work in hybrid-electric flight, autonomy and defence shows the much broader potential of the platform,” Brégier stated in a press release announcing his appointment, referencing the key development stages Vertical Aerospace is facing as it moves closer to the certification of its Valo eVTOL.