Vertical Aerospace Strengthens Leadership Team With Appointment of Senior Executive John Martin as Chief Financial Officer

Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering zero-emissions aviation, today announces it has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointment of John Martin as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). John joins Vertical after a successful thirty year career in senior operational and financial management roles of large, international businesses. John takes up the role at Vertical on 20 February 2023.

John contributed significantly to building profitability and generating shareholder value for several prominent businesses, helping transform them into high-growth market leaders, including FTSE 100 Ferguson plc (formerly Wolseley plc), FTSE 250 Hays plc and the private Travelex Group. John’s significant experience in strategic development and driving excellence in operational performance will allow him to provide unique support for Vertical's Founder & CEO, Stephen Fitzpatrick, in scaling the company through certification and industrialisation.

John is a Chartered Accountant and earlier in his career was Group Controller of The Stationary Office Group upon its privatisation in 1996, having earlier spent nine years at Arthur Andersen. John also served briefly as Chair of Countryside Properties plc. John currently serves as an independent non-executive director of Ocado Group plc, a market leading technology and robotics business, and member of the FTSE 100.

This announcement follows the resignation of Vinny Casey as Vertical’s CFO, effective 20 February 2023. Vinny will remain on Vertical’s Board as a non-executive director, and returns to OVO Energy, a leading independent UK energy supplier. As part of the evolution of the Vertical Board, Michael Cervenka has stepped down from the Board, effective from 26 January 2023, and has a new role in the business as Chief Technology Officer, focused on building Vertical’s future engineering and technology pipelines, as well as continuing to lead strategic supply chain partner activities.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO of Vertical, commented, “I am delighted to welcome John to Vertical Aerospace. His experience leading public companies will be critical as we scale Vertical both to certification and industrialisation. John’s appointment further strengthens Vertical’s executive team to deliver the VX4 into entry into service and beyond. I would also like to thank Vinny Casey for his commitment to Vertical and look forward to continuing working with him on the Vertical Board.”