Vertical Aerospace announced the appointment of former McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt, to the Board of Directors (Vertical Board). An experienced leader in the world of automotive innovation and manufacturing, Mike further strengthens Vertical's leadership team which draws from industry experts in aviation, automotive and technology sectors. Mike will join the Board's Audit and Certification Committees.

Mike is joining the Vertical Board having stepped down from McLaren Automotive in October 2021 after eight years leading the group. Mike was instrumental in driving McLaren Automotive's growth to become one of the world's leading luxury supercar brands. Prior to joining McLaren, Mike spent nine years at Ford as both Vice President, Manufacturing, Ford Europe, and Corporate Officer, Ford Motor Company.

Before joining Ford, he held senior manufacturing and operations roles at TWR Group Limited, AutoNova AB (Volvo) and Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars Limited. He is an alumnus of Salford University having qualified in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering in 1987, completed a post-graduate qualification in Management and Project Management in 1996 and received an Honorary Doctorate from the institution in 2017.