Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) chairman resigns as board names interim successor

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Vertical Aerospace Ltd. announced a board leadership change. Chairman Dómhnal Slattery notified the board on May 10, 2026 of his intention to resign as Chairman and director and, by agreement with the board, his resignation became effective on May 12, 2026.

The company credits Mr. Slattery with overseeing key operational and financial milestones, including a recent two-way piloted transition flight and closing of a financing package totaling up to $850 million. The board expressed its thanks for his service and contribution.

Effective May 12, 2026, the board appointed existing director Ben Story as interim Chairman while it searches for a permanent Chair. Mr. Story brings experience from senior roles at Rolls-Royce Holdings, Citigroup, and public-sector and innovation-focused boards.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Vertical Aerospace transitions board leadership, naming an interim chair.

Vertical Aerospace is undergoing a planned board leadership transition, with Chairman Dómhnal Slattery resigning and director Ben Story becoming interim Chairman effective May 12, 2026. The company highlights that Mr. Slattery helped oversee a financing package totaling up to $850 million and a key flight milestone.

From a governance perspective, continuity is supported by promoting an existing director with substantial strategic and financial background, including prior roles at Rolls-Royce and Citigroup. The filing does not indicate any dispute or controversy around the resignation, framing it as timing-related to achieved milestones.

Future disclosures in company filings may specify the appointment of a permanent Chairman and any related changes to board composition or strategic oversight. For now, the move appears administrative, with limited direct information about changes to the company’s strategy or operations.

Key Figures

Financing package size: $850 million

1 metrics

Financing package size $850 million Financing package totaling up to this amount closed under outgoing Chairman

Key Terms

Report on Form 6-K, foreign private issuer, interim Chairman, Registration Statement on Form F-3

4 terms

Report on Form 6-K regulatory

"The information included in this Report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference"

A report on Form 6-K is a document foreign companies file with the U.S. securities regulator to share important updates—like financial results, management changes, or material announcements—when those items occur. For investors it acts like a timely notice or bulletin, giving access to material information about a non-U.S. issuer so market participants can make informed decisions, similar to how an accident report quickly informs people about an unexpected event.

foreign private issuer regulatory

"FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO SECTION 13A-16"

A foreign private issuer is a company organized outside the United States that meets tests showing it is primarily foreign-controlled and therefore qualifies for a different set of U.S. reporting rules. For investors, that means the company files less frequent or differently formatted disclosures with U.S. regulators and may follow home-country accounting and governance practices, so buying its stock is like dining at a well-reviewed restaurant that follows its home kitchen’s rules instead of the local menu — you get access but should check what standards apply.

interim Chairman financial

"the Board has appointed Ben Story to serve as its interim Chairman"

Registration Statement on Form F-3 regulatory

"incorporated by reference into the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3"

A registration statement on Form F-3 is a streamlined filing used by eligible foreign companies to register securities for sale in the U.S., often as a “shelf” that lets them offer shares quickly when market conditions are right. For investors it matters because it signals that the company can raise capital on short notice—potentially increasing liquidity but also the risk of share dilution if new stock is issued—similar to a company keeping a pre-approved credit line ready to use.

Form 6-K: How Foreign Companies Report to the SEC →

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13A-16 OR 15D-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of May 2026

Commission File Number: 001-41169

Vertical Aerospace Ltd.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Unit 1 Camwal Court, Chapel Street

Bristol BS2 0UW

United Kingdom

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  x             Form 40-F  ¨

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K

Director Changes

On May 10, 2026, Dómhnal Slattery provided notice to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Vertical Aerospace Ltd. (the “Company”) of his intention to resign as Chairman and member of the Board, and subsequently agreed with the Board for his resignation to take effect on May 12, 2026.

Having overseen the achievement of key Company operational and financial milestones, including the recent historic two-way piloted transition flight and closing of a financing package totaling up to $850 million, Mr. Slattery has decided that now is the appropriate time to step down and focus on other business interests.

Mr. Slattery has served as a member of the Board and its Chairman since January 2025, after previously serving as its Chairman from January 2022 to August 2023. The Board thanks Mr. Slattery for his leadership and contribution to the Company’s progress during the period of his service, and wishes him the very best in his future endeavors.

With effect from May 12, 2026, the Board has appointed Ben Story to serve as its interim Chairman pending the appointment of a permanent Chairman. Mr. Story, who has served on the Board since April 2024, is a former member of the Executive Leadership Team at Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, where he led strategy, M&A and major transformation initiatives. He also previously spent over two decades in investment banking, including as Head of UK Investment Banking at Citigroup, and served on the Board of Transport for London. Mr. Story is currently Chair of Digital Catapult, an innovation organization established by Innovate UK, an agency of the UK Government.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The information included in this Report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-270756, File No. 333-284763, File No. 333-287207 and File No. 333-292448) (including any prospectuses forming a part of such registration statements) and to be a part thereof from the date on which this Report on Form 6-K is filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Vertical Aerospace Ltd.
Date: May 12, 2026	By:	/s/ Stuart Simpson
		Stuart Simpson
		Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What board leadership change did Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) disclose in this Form 6-K?

Vertical Aerospace disclosed that Chairman and director Dómhnal Slattery resigned effective May 12, 2026. The board appointed existing director Ben Story as interim Chairman while it seeks a permanent Chair, maintaining continuity in board oversight and leadership.

Why is Dómhnal Slattery stepping down from the Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) board?

The filing states that Dómhnal Slattery decided it was an appropriate time to step down after overseeing key operational and financial milestones. These include a historic two-way piloted transition flight and closing of a financing package totaling up to $850 million.

Who is Ben Story, the new interim Chairman of Vertical Aerospace (EVTL)?

Ben Story has served on the Vertical Aerospace board since April 2024 and is now interim Chairman. He previously held senior roles at Rolls-Royce Holdings, led UK investment banking at Citigroup, served on the Transport for London board, and chairs innovation body Digital Catapult.

What major financing milestone does Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) reference in this 6-K?

Vertical Aerospace notes that under Chairman Slattery’s tenure it closed a financing package totaling up to $850 million. The filing cites this package, alongside a piloted transition flight, as a key operational and financial milestone achieved before his resignation.

How is this Form 6-K from Vertical Aerospace (EVTL) used in its registration statements?

The information in this Form 6-K is incorporated by reference into Vertical Aerospace’s Form F-3 registration statements. This means the disclosed board changes become part of those registration records unless later superseded by more recent filings.