German air taxi startup Volocopter has selected Dirk Hoke, former CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, to be its new CEO, starting in September.
Hoke will succeed Florian Reuter, who announced Tuesday he is stepping down this fall, according to a news release. Reuter has led the company for the past seven years. In that time the company has grown “from a five-person start-up to a 500-strong global company,” Volocoter said.
The company said Hoke “brings extensive experience in leading big tech entities within Airbus and Siemens from a technical, strategic, and commercial side” and will help it lead the emerging urban air mobility or UAM industry.
I’ve taken my time to decide on my next step: This September I will join the pioneer of urban air mobility, #Volocopter, as CEO. Thank you, Florian, for approaching me for this role and for the trust to continue your legacy. I cannot wait to get started and to bring UAM to life. pic.twitter.com/AHdm05HpP9
— Dirk Hoke (@HokeDirk) March 8, 2022
Volocopter said it has completed more than 1,000 private and public test flights, raised more than $579 million in funds, and is “positioned to launch UAM services in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics.”
“No company is closer to making this most innovative form of mobility a reality in cities around the world than Volocopter,” Hoke said. “My experience from Airbus and Siemens will help us monetize on the leading market position Volocopter has achieved under Florian’s leadership,” he added.
“I have known Dirk for a number of years and am convinced that his experience and leadership style are a perfect match for the strategy and culture at Volocopter, which is why I put his name forward to the Board,” Reuter said.
Volocopter has been developing UAM technology for over a decade. It has built a range of electric-powered aircraft including the VoloCity, VoloConnect and VoloDrone for carrying passengers and freight.
The news comes days after the company announced it has raised $170 million in Series E funding.
