Bristow Group (NYSE: VTOL) shifts general counsel role in revamp plan

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Bristow Group Inc. reported that Elizabeth Matthews, its Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Head of Government Affairs, and Corporate Secretary, has departed the company effective immediately. The company stated that her departure is not due to any disagreement with the company or its board on financials, operations, policies, or practices.

As part of an organizational restructuring, Bristow is changing the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Head of Government Affairs role, with those responsibilities to be divided among other legal and executive leaders. Anne Rappold will assume the role of Corporate Secretary, and Ms. Matthews will receive severance benefits consistent with the company’s plans and policies for executive officers.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Bristow reshapes its top legal role as long-time general counsel departs, with duties redistributed and a new corporate secretary appointed.

Bristow Group Inc. has disclosed the immediate departure of its Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Head of Government Affairs, and Corporate Secretary, Elizabeth Matthews. The company explicitly notes that her exit is not related to disagreements over financial reporting, operations, or governance practices, which helps limit concern about hidden disputes or accounting issues.

The change occurs alongside an organizational restructuring of the combined legal and government affairs role, with responsibilities spread across the legal team and Executive Leadership Team, and Anne Rappold named Corporate Secretary. This points to a governance and reporting-line reshuffle rather than a single replacement hire. Future company disclosures may clarify how the reallocated responsibilities affect oversight and decision-making across legal and government affairs.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  August 21, 2025

Bristow Group Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

1-35701

72-1455213

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

3151 Briarpark Drive, Suite 700,

Houston,

Texas

77042

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (713) 267-7600

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act  (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

VTOL

NYSE

Item 5.02						Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
						Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On August 21, 2025, Bristow Group Inc. (the “Company”) announced the departure of Elizabeth Matthews, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Head of Government Affairs, and Corporate Secretary, effective immediately. Ms. Matthews’ departure from the Company was not a result of any disagreement with the Company or its Board of Directors or any matter relating to the Company’s financials, operations, policies, or practices.

As part of an organizational restructuring, the Company has determined to restructure the position of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Head of Government Affairs. The responsibilities previously associated with the role will be allocated among other members of the Company’s legal team and Executive Leadership Team. Anne Rappold will take on the role of Corporate Secretary.

Ms. Matthews will be entitled to severance benefits in connection with the departure in accordance with the terms of the Company’s plans and policies applicable to executive officers.

Signatures

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

    

			BRISTOW GROUP INC.
Date: August 22, 2025			By:			/s/ Jennifer D. Whalen
						Name: Jennifer D. Whalen
						Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What leadership change did Bristow Group (VTOL) disclose in this 8-K?

Bristow Group Inc. disclosed the departure of Elizabeth Matthews, who served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Head of Government Affairs, and Corporate Secretary, effective immediately.

Did Elizabeth Matthews leave Bristow Group (VTOL) due to a disagreement with the company?

No. Bristow Group stated that Ms. Matthews’ departure was not the result of any disagreement with the company or its board regarding financials, operations, policies, or practices.

How is Bristow Group (VTOL) restructuring its legal leadership after Ms. Matthews’ departure?

Bristow Group is restructuring the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Head of Government Affairs position, with its former responsibilities to be shared among other members of the legal team and Executive Leadership Team.

Who will serve as Corporate Secretary at Bristow Group (VTOL) following this change?

Following the restructuring, Anne Rappold will take on the role of Corporate Secretary at Bristow Group Inc.

Will Elizabeth Matthews receive severance from Bristow Group (VTOL)?

Yes. Ms. Matthews will be entitled to severance benefits in connection with her departure, in line with Bristow Group’s plans and policies for executive officers.

What SEC item does this Bristow Group (VTOL) filing relate to?

This filing relates to Item 5.02, covering the departure of certain officers, appointment of certain officers, and compensatory arrangements of certain officers.