Urban-Air Port Fortifies Leadership with Lawrence Blakeley as Newest Non-Executive Advisor and Shareholder
Lawrence completes the trio with Adam Slepian, and Eoghan Huston as Non-Executive Advisors and Shareholders.
London, UK – May 19th, 2025 – Urban-Air Port (UAP), a global trailblazer in advanced infrastructure for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and hybrid VTOL aircraft, proudly unveils its enhanced leadership with Lawrence Blakeley alongside Adam Slepian, and Eoghan Huston as Non-Executive Advisors and shareholders. This exceptional trio, wielding expertise in aerospace, defence, finance, and strategic scaling, positions UAP to lead in global defence logistics and scale Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) across key markets.
Lawrence Blakeley brings over 25 years of pioneering leadership in aircraft electrification and fundraising, having shaped the future of electric aviation at Airbus, Vertical Aerospace, H55, and currently Beta Technologies. He helped secure transformative funding for Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL, driving its NYSE listing in 2021, led the creation of H55's business model, customer contract negotiations and was instrumental in their Series B investment round to advance battery systems, and now accelerates Beta Technologies’ ALIA eVTOL and charging infrastructure.
Blakeley’s vision inspired UAP’s pioneering Q1 2024 patent for eVTOL downwash and outwash management, leveraging UAP’s Vertical Airfield technology to enhance vertiport safety and efficiency for urban and tactical operations.
“I am thrilled to join Urban-Air Port as a Non-Executive Advisor and share in its equity journey—a true privilege.
UAP’s pioneering vision and unmatched expertise delivers transformative vertiport infrastructure that redefines air mobility, surpassing competitors’ outdated, capital-intensive heliport models. Through my experience at leading aircraft OEMs worldwide, I’ve seen first-hand, just how vital ground infrastructure is to electrifying aviation.
My fundraising successes, including Vertical Aerospace’s NYSE listing and H55’s investment rounds, affirm that innovative, cost-efficient infrastructure drives investor trust and is crucial to build sustainable, global air mobility networks.”
Lawrence is based out of Vermont further extending Urban-Air Port’s presence in the US.
“Lawrence, Adam, and Eoghan bring unrivaled expertise in technology development, commercialisation, aerospace intelligence, defence, and strategic scaling. Their leadership will propel our AirOne Next Gen and Docks Box infrastructure, alongside our flagship DBx-A1 defence program, establishing UAP as the global leader in UAV logistics infrastructure.”
Adam Slepian, Chief Strategy Officer at Otto Aviation and former U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) officer, has guided UAP since 2019. As Supernal’s Global Head of Partnerships and Chief Commercial Officer, he held a UAP investor Board Seat for Hyundai’s eVTOL division, spearheading the Air-One project—the world’s first operational urban vertiport in Coventry (2022), with over 150 flights in complex airspace.
With experience at McKinsey and nine years of combat leadership, Slepian’s defence expertise drives UAP’s DBx-A1 for Defence, bolstering C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and battlefield logistics. Learn more: https://www.urbanairport.com/uap-blog/adam-slepian-joins-urban-air-port-as-non-executive
Urban-Air Port’s AirOne NextGen Vertiport range. Patented, Modular & Customisable.
Eoghan Huston, COO of Manna Drone Delivery, has been a cornerstone Non-Executive Advisor to UAP since 2023, providing astute financial and strategic guidance as the company scales its innovative landing and charging infrastructure. With extensive expertise in finance, technology, and scaling high-growth companies across public and private markets, Huston has helped shape UAP’s 2025/26 roadmap.
His experience spans financial markets, travel, and retail, and since 2021, he has advanced low-altitude logistics at Manna Air Delivery, empowering founders with strategic and operational excellence. Huston’s focus on UAP’s Docks Box cargo drone logistics model enhances its operational and commercial applications. Learn more: https://www.urbanairport.com/uap-blog/eoghan-huston-joins-urban-air-port-as-non-executive-k8ccc
Urban-Air Port’s Docks Box for End-to-End Commercial Drone Deliveries inc. CityBox.
The trio’s expertise fuels UAP’s leadership in UAV and VTOL integration for cargo, passenger, and defence applications, driving global expansion and the next funding round, UAP’s Series B.
Blakeley’s appointment reflects UAP’s magnetic appeal to world-class talent, with his expert knowledge of electrification, energy systems, powertrain development, and VTOL characteristics and certification refining UAP’s technology. His patent contributions bolster investor confidence and best-in-class operational excellence.
“From the moment I met the UAP team, I recognised their visionary leadership and relentless focus on transformative technology. Their ability to balance beauty, functionality, and rigorous market demands is unmatched, now extending from aerospace into defence.
As we advance UAP Defence solutions like the DBx-A1, UAP is poised to shape the future of tactical mass UAV deployment on the battlefield.”
Urban-Air Port’s Defence-Tech, the UAV Launch & Logistics DBx-A1.
“With Lawrence’s aerospace and fundraising prowess, Adam’s battlefield-to-boardroom insights, and Eoghan’s financial and scaling expertise, UAP’s leadership team is primed for success. Their contributions, from our eVTOL patent to defence innovations, will redefine global air mobility and security, amplifying our partnerships and global presence.”
About Urban-Air Port®
Aviation & Defence Technology | World’s most advanced, patented infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility.
Urban-Air Port is a cutting-edge aerospace, robotics, and air mobility platform driving 21st-century defence and aerospace innovation. Harnessing decades of expertise in drones, aviation, and infrastructure, it delivers unrivalled solutions for global defence and aerospace markets.
Its defence-focused DBx-A1, launching in 2025, offers covert, portable, and automated infrastructure to support tactical frontline operations. Designed to counter aerial surveillance and strikes, it enables small units to execute complex missions with enhanced tempo and resilience.
An award-winning leader in infrastructure, Urban-Air Port develops compact landing and charging systems for sustainable air transport, including passenger and cargo VTOL air taxis and autonomous drones for civilian and defence use. Its mission is to electrify aviation by overcoming ground infrastructure limitations, creating a zero-emission ecosystem that slashes congestion and pollution in passenger, cargo, and defence transport.
Recognised as a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility, Urban-Air Port’s patented vertiport technology delivers ultra-compact, high-capacity infrastructure, transforming cities into connected, cleaner hubs for a green economic future. Its solutions are optimised for electric and hybrid VTOL aircraft, ensuring safer, quieter, and more sustainable operations compared to competitors.
The “Vertical Airfield” technology compacts conventional airfields, enabling safe electric vertical take-off and landing at height, akin to an aircraft carrier. Urban-Air Port’s vertiports are 80% smaller than alternatives, featuring modular designs for scalable expansion, maximised eVTOL throughput, and integrated energy storage for superior performance and passenger experience.
The Air-One project in Coventry, launched in April 2022 with UK Government Research and Innovation funding, marked the world’s first fully operational vertiport in a dense urban setting. It hosted over 15,000 visitors and 150 successful flights within Coventry’s complex urban airspace and airport restriction zone.
Backed by global partners like Supernal (Hyundai Motor Group) and Directors of M7 Real Estate (Oxford Properties), Urban-Air Port’s team of aeronautical engineers and aerospace experts brings experience from Airbus, Foster + Partners, Arup, BAA, McKinsey, Hyundai Motor Group, Vertical Aerospace, EASA, NATS, Qatar Airways, and elite military units like US Special Forces and the British Army.
Visit www.urbanairport.com for more information and follow us on LinkedIn.
Investors: invest@urbanairport.com
