Vertical Aerospace today announced the appointment of three executives – James Keith (JK) Brown, Kris Haber, and Carsten Stendevad – to its Board. “The new Board members will support driving Vertical’s financial and commercial strategy, as Vertical targets cash break-even in 2030 with a clear path to profitability thereafter.” Said the company in a press statement.
These appointments are effective as of 30 April 2025 in the case of Mr. Haber, and 14 May 2025 in the case of Mr. Brown and Mr. Stendevad.
Domhnal Slattery, Chairman at Vertical Aerospace, said: “I am delighted to welcome JK, Kris, and Carsten to Vertical’s Board. Combined, they bring decades of deep capital markets expertise, business development experience and proven track records scaling growth-stage companies. 2025 is on track to be a pivotal year for Vertical as we complete our piloted test flight program and move closer to certifying and producing the safest, most comfortable eVTOL on the market.”
James Keith (JK) Brown is an investment executive with a record of supporting growth-stage firms scale and reach market readiness. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor at Thrive Capital. Mr. Brown was a founding partner at Och-Ziff Capital Management, where he played a central role in taking the firm public in 2007. Kris Haber has more than 33 years’ experience in corporate finance, business development and strategic buildups. He is currently Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Vega Partners, an investment firm that’s led in excess of US3 billion in transaction value for a variety of early and growth stage investments and merchant banking opportunities. Carsten Stendevad is an experienced global finance leader who brings expertise in developing and executing on corporate and financial strategies. He currently serves as Partner and Co-Chief Investment Officer for Sustainable Investing at Bridgewater Associates, as a board advisor to GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund and chairs the Board of Directors of the Danish Refugee Committee.
These Board appointments follow the announcement on March 7, 2025 that Eamonn Brennan, former Director General of Eurocontrol, has joined Vertical as an adviser to its Board.
In connection with these appointments, Gur Kimchi stepped down from the Board on 30 April 2025, and Kathy Cassidy will be stepping down from the Board on 14 May 2025, and Vertical’s Board will expand to seven directors.
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https://vertical-aerospace.com/news/