The chair of UK-based eVTOL aircraft developer Dómhnal Slattery has stepped down with Ben Story appointed as an interim chair while a successor is recruited.
Slattery has been the chair since January 2025. He also served in the same post between between August 2022 and March 2023.
Posting on LinkedIn, Slattery said it was “the right moment” to hand over to the team that will take its eVTOL aircraft, Valo through the certification process.
“Watching transition a few weeks ago was one of the proudest moments of my career. A genuine inflection point and confirmation of everything I have believed about this company and the future of advanced air mobility,” said Slattery.
Last month the company completed a two-way transition with its six-passenger Valo eVTOL aircraft, which is designed to fly at speeds of up to 150mph (241km/h) over distances of up to 100 miles (161km). The company is targeting certification of Valo in 2028, with entry into service planned shortly thereafter.
Vertical is also being sued by US-rival Archer for IP-infringement concerning parts of its aircraft.
