GBAF Logo
Finance

Orbex appoints FRP as administrators, advisory firm says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 19, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 3, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Activist investor 7Square urges Nuernberger to explore takeover offers - Global Banking & Finance Review
The featured image illustrates the financial landscape as activist investor 7Square pressures Nuernberger to evaluate rival takeover offers, emphasizing the ongoing competition in the insurance sector.
Reuters Appointment Insolvencies rise funding environment UK economy
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

Feb 18 - Scottish rocket maker Orbex has appointed restructuring advisors FRP as administrators, charging them with exploring options for the business, including a potential sale, the advisory firm

Orbex Appoints FRP as Administrators to Explore Sale After Trading Halt

Feb 18 - Scottish rocket maker Orbex has appointed restructuring advisors FRP as administrators, charging them with exploring options for the business, including a potential sale, the advisory firm said in a statement on Wednesday, after earlier attempts to raise new funding or secure a buyer failed.

Orbex, valued at about $220 million after a 2022 fundraising, ceased trading before appointing administrators, a move that impacts the roughly 163 people it employed in the UK, the statement said.

It said earlier this month the failure to secure new investment threatened hundreds of skilled jobs in Scotland and risked derailing Britain's push to build a domestic launch sector.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Kanjyik Ghosh; Editing by Joe Bavier)

Key Takeaways

  • Orbex appointed FRP Advisory as administrators to explore options, including a potential sale.
  • The company ceased trading on Feb 18, 2026, after failed funding and buyer talks.
  • Orbex had an estimated $220 million valuation following its 2022 fundraising.
  • About 163 UK employees are affected, posing a setback to Britain’s domestic launch plans.
  • Administrators will review restructuring and sale scenarios to preserve value.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has been appointed as administrators for Orbex?
Orbex has appointed restructuring advisors FRP as administrators. They have been tasked with exploring options for the business, including a potential sale.
What was Orbex’s trading status before appointing administrators?
The company ceased trading before appointing administrators. The move impacts roughly 163 people it employed in the UK.
What valuation did Orbex previously achieve and when?
Orbex was valued at about $220 million after a 2022 fundraising. This reflects its status prior to the current administration process.
What risks were highlighted if new investment was not secured?
Failure to secure new investment threatened hundreds of skilled jobs in Scotland. It also risked derailing Britain’s push to build a domestic launch sector.
Who reported and edited the article?
The report was by Sam Tabahriti and Kanjyik Ghosh. It was edited by Joe Bavier.

Tags

Related Articles

Image for Australia's Wong to visit Japan, China, South Korea to discuss energy security

Australia's Wong to visit Japan, China, South Korea to discuss energy security

Image for Hungary's Magyar to meet EU's von der ​Leyen for talks on EU funds this week

Hungary's Magyar to meet EU's von der ​Leyen for talks on EU funds this week

Image for Switzerland angers Italy by claiming costs of treating Crans-Montana fire victims

Switzerland angers Italy by claiming costs of treating Crans-Montana fire victims

Image for Russian defence minister visits North Korea

Russian defence minister visits North Korea

Image for Fertiliser plant in Russia's Vologda region damaged in Ukrainian drone attack, governor says

Fertiliser plant in Russia's Vologda region damaged in Ukrainian drone attack, governor says

Image for Close Brothers will not take legal action against Britain's car finance redress scheme, Sky News reports

Close Brothers will not take legal action against Britain's car finance redress scheme, Sky News reports

More from Finance

Explore more articles in the Finance category

Image for Germany's far-right AfD rises to record 28%, INSA poll shows
Germany's far-right AfD rises to record 28%, INSA poll shows
Image for German government suspects Russia of Signal attack targeting politicians, sources say
German government suspects Russia of Signal attack targeting politicians, sources say
Image for Romania finds parts of second drone after overnight Russian attack on Ukraine
Romania finds parts of second drone after overnight Russian attack on Ukraine
Image for China condemns EU's inclusion of Chinese entities in sanctions package against Russia
China condemns EU's inclusion of Chinese entities in sanctions package against Russia
Image for Russian parliament speaker in North Korea to mark Pyongyang's troop deployment in Ukraine war
Russian parliament speaker in North Korea to mark Pyongyang's troop deployment in Ukraine war
Image for Macron reaffirms efforts to reopen Strait of Hormuz, as TotalEnergies warns of energy shortages
Macron reaffirms efforts to reopen Strait of Hormuz, as TotalEnergies warns of energy shortages
Image for France's Macron says EU mutual assistance clause is unambiguous
France's Macron says EU mutual assistance clause is unambiguous
Image for US to let Venezuela pay Maduro's lawyer in drug trafficking case
US to let Venezuela pay Maduro's lawyer in drug trafficking case
Image for Italy votes down equal parental leave while fathers redefine their role online
Italy votes down equal parental leave while fathers redefine their role online
Image for German auto industry faces even tougher competition as China economy slows
German auto industry faces even tougher competition as China economy slows
Image for Romania says drone fragments damage property during overnight Russian attack on Ukraine
Romania says drone fragments damage property during overnight Russian attack on Ukraine
Image for Engine maker Horse plans India move to supply growing small car market, CEO says
Engine maker Horse plans India move to supply growing small car market, CEO says
View All Finance Posts