Former Airbus commercial chief Fabrice Brégier to chair Vertical Aerospace board

Fabrice Brégier, formerly chief executive of Airbus' commercial aircraft division, has been appointed chair of the board of directors at Vertical Aerospace, the company announced. He takes up the role on September 21, 2026.

Brégier led Airbus' Commercial Aircraft business from 2012 to 2016. From 2017 to 2018 he was chief operating officer of Airbus Group and president of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, and he was chief operating officer of Airbus from 2006 to 2012. According to the company, he played a key role in developing the A350 widebody during that period. He has also been chief executive and president of Eurocopter, now Airbus Helicopters, and of Matra BAe Dynamics, now MBDA.

Since leaving Airbus, Brégier has held senior positions at other aerospace and defence companies. He was president of the French subsidiary of Palantir Technologies from 2018 to 2024 and is a non-executive director at engine maker Safran. He also sits on the boards of two large French companies outside aerospace: energy provider ENGIE and insurer SCOR SE, where he is chair.

In a statement released with the announcement, Brégier said Vertical has reached an exciting point in its development. He cited the progress the company has made in flight testing as evidence of the maturity of its technology, and pointed to its work in hybrid-electric flight, autonomy and defence as showing the broader potential of the platform.

Vertical Aerospace is working toward certification of its Valo electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Brégier's appointment adds a manager with long experience at a major manufacturer to the board of the startup as it moves through those development stages.