Vertical Aerospace adds former Leonardo Helicopters US chief to board

Vertical Aerospace has appointed Clyde M. Woltman to its board of directors, effective immediately. The British electric vertical takeoff and landing developer confirmed the move on October 5, 2026.

Woltman was chief executive of Leonardo Helicopters US from January 2022 until February 2026. He previously held senior roles at Aerojet Rocketdyne, now part of L3Harris Technologies, and at Pratt & Whitney, where he worked on advanced defence and aerospace programmes including the F135 propulsion system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

At Leonardo he ran a business worth $1 billion across the Americas, the company said, covering sales, engineering, certification, production, customer support and research and development, alongside US government and foreign military sales programmes. He is also a retired US Marine Corps colonel.

Vertical said the appointment supports its push toward certification and commercialisation of its Valo aircraft, and its stated aim of expanding into hybrid-electric, autonomous and defence applications. Chief executive Stuart Simpson said Woltman brings aerospace leadership, industrial execution and direct experience with US defence and international government communities.

Woltman said he was joining at a time when the company is expanding its commercial opportunities. Vertical's certification timetable and programme schedule are unchanged.