Vertical Aerospace Adds Three Capital Markets Experts to Board
Vertical Aerospace Ltd., a global aerospace and technology leader pioneering the future of electric aviation, has announced a major strategic enhancement to its corporate governance with the appointment of three high-profile industry veterans to its Board of Directors. These appointments come at a pivotal moment for the company as it continues progressing toward commercial certification of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and targets a significant financial milestone—cash break-even—by 2030.
The new Board members—James Keith (JK) Brown, Kris Haber, and Carsten Stendevad—bring a wealth of experience spanning global capital markets, strategic investment, and operational leadership. Each individual has a demonstrable track record in helping companies scale, navigate complex financial landscapes, and deliver long-term shareholder value.
These appointments are part of Vertical’s broader plan to reinforce its financial and commercial governance frameworks as it enters the final stages of its piloted test flight program and works toward the certification and future production of its VX4 eVTOL aircraft, designed to be one of the safest, most comfortable, and environmentally friendly air mobility solutions on the market.
The appointments become effective on two dates: Mr. Haber officially joined the Board on April 30, 2025, while Mr. Brown and Mr. Stendevad will take their seats on May 14, 2025.
Leadership Commentary
Domhnal Slattery, Chairman of Vertical Aerospace, expressed strong confidence in the new Board members and the collective impact they will bring.
“I am delighted to welcome JK, Kris, and Carsten to Vertical’s Board,” said Slattery. “Collectively, they bring decades of deep capital markets knowledge, global business development acumen, and operational excellence. Their insights and experience will be instrumental in guiding Vertical through this critical growth phase. 2025 is set to be a transformative year for our company as we complete our piloted test flight campaign and accelerate our journey toward commercial certification. These appointments significantly strengthen our Board at a time when strategic execution is paramount.”
About the New Board Members
James Keith (JK) Brown
James Keith Brown is a seasoned financial executive and investor with deep roots in institutional finance and fund management. With over three decades of experience, Mr. Brown has held pivotal leadership roles at some of the world’s most prominent investment firms.
He is currently a Senior Advisor at Thrive Capital, a leading venture capital firm, and was a founding partner at Och-Ziff Capital Management, where he played a key role in leading the firm through its initial public offering in 2007. During his tenure, Och-Ziff expanded its assets under management from $32 billion to a peak of $50 billion, and Mr. Brown led global investor relations and strategic fund initiatives.
Following his time at Och-Ziff, Brown joined Coatue Management as Senior Managing Partner and Head of the Operating Committee. Under his leadership, Coatue’s assets grew from $10 billion to more than $50 billion. His earlier career also includes a senior executive role at Goldman Sachs, where he served as Managing Director and Head of U.S. Institutional Sales and Relationship Management.
In addition to his financial career, Brown is an active leader in the cultural and academic sectors. He serves as President of the Board of Trustees at the New Museum of Contemporary Art and holds leadership positions with the Lincoln Center Theater and the University of North Carolina.
Kris Haber
Kris Haber brings over 33 years of hands-on experience in corporate finance, private equity, and business development. He is the Founder and CEO of Vega Partners, a private investment firm specializing in growth-stage investments and merchant banking transactions. Under his leadership, Vega has spearheaded more than $3 billion in transaction value across a broad portfolio of companies, including several clean energy ventures.
Haber is a board member of several forward-looking companies, such as Standard Carbon, EnergyX, MAG IA, and EV Match, reflecting his strong commitment to sustainable innovation and energy transition.
His prior roles include Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Investcorp Strategic Capital Group, part of Investcorp’s $50 billion alternative asset management platform. He also served as COO of Advent Capital, and was previously President and Global Head of Absolute Return Strategies at Threadneedle North America, now part of Columbia Management, one of the world’s largest asset managers with over $650 billion in AUM.
Earlier in his career, Haber spent approximately 14 years at Lazard, where he held senior roles in the asset management division, which managed over $250 billion at the time.
Carsten Stendevad
Carsten Stendevad is a globally recognized leader in financial strategy and sustainable investing. He currently serves as Partner and Co-Chief Investment Officer for Sustainable Investing at Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest and most respected investment management firms globally.
Mr. Stendevad also serves as a board advisor to GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, and chairs the Board of Directors at the Danish Refugee Committee, underscoring his commitment to global development and responsible investing.
Previously, he was the CEO of ATP, Denmark’s largest pension fund, managing over $110 billion in assets on behalf of more than five million Danes. At ATP, he oversaw all investment and operational functions and chaired the investment committee. His earlier experience includes strategic roles at Citigroup, McKinsey & Company, and the Central Bank of Denmark. He has also served on the boards of Novo Holdings, NOW Pensions, and UNICEF Denmark.
Board Transitions and Governance
These appointments follow the March 7, 2025 announcement that Eamonn Brennan, the former Director General of Eurocontrol, had joined Vertical Aerospace as a strategic advisor to the Board, reinforcing the company’s aviation regulatory and operational oversight capabilities.
Concurrently with the addition of the new Board members, Vertical announced two director departures. Gur Kimchi stepped down from the Board on April 30, 2025, while Kathy Cassidy will exit her role on May 14, 2025. As a result of these changes, Vertical’s Board will expand from its previous configuration to a total of seven directors, reflecting the company’s broader ambition and increasing complexity as it moves toward commercialization.
Chairman Domhnal Slattery expressed his gratitude to the departing directors:
“I’d also like to sincerely thank Gur and Kathy for their unwavering service and contributions to Vertical since our public listing in 2021. Their insights and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the company’s strategy, strengthening our governance, and laying the foundation for future success. We deeply appreciate their guidance during our early years and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”
Vertical Aerospace is currently in the advanced stages of its flight testing and certification process for the VX4, a next-generation eVTOL aircraft designed for urban and regional air mobility. With an all-electric powertrain, vertical take-off and landing capabilities, and a strong focus on passenger safety and comfort, the VX4 aims to be a frontrunner in the evolving electric aviation market.
The company continues to target cash flow break-even by 2030 and has outlined a clear roadmap toward profitability. The enhanced Board structure, comprised of a diverse and experienced team of executives, positions Vertical to successfully execute on its long-term strategic objectives and lead the industry toward a more sustainable and efficient mode of air transportation.