RC Fornax PLC (AIM:RCFX) has kicked off its financial year with the strongest inflow of work in its history, helped by shifting priorities across the defence sector and a more responsive operating set-up.
The consultancy, which supplies engineering expertise to some of the UK’s most sensitive defence programmes, said this morning that it had booked about £2.5 million in total orders (new work plus extensions) during the first three months of the year to August 2026.
That is more than 70% higher than the same period last year.
Much of the uplift has been driven by the government’s recent Strategic Defence Review, which has prompted customers to revisit and accelerate projects.
The company also credits the past five months of internal changes, including tighter governance and improved risk and delivery processes, which it says have made it quicker to respond to bids and better at spotting issues early.
The headline figure is the £2.2 million in fresh orders secured so far this year. That represents more than 180% growth on the same period a year ago and more than 1,200% compared with the previous quarter.
RC Fornax said the quarter was the best in its history. Three new clients have come on board, alongside continuing work from existing customers.
The business, which is listed on London’s AIM market, works across seven government procurement frameworks. These frameworks act as pre-approved supplier lists, allowing public bodies to commission work more quickly.
They are often an important route into longer, higher-value projects, and the company said its participation is already feeding through into a “rapidly strengthening pipeline”.
Management argues the burst of new orders provides a clearer line of sight on revenue through the rest of the financial year, with more follow-on work expected from recently signed contracts.
Paul Reeves, the chief executive, said: “The first three months of FY26 have delivered the strongest new order intake in RC Fornax’s history, with approximately £2.2 million in new work secured during the period. The SDR has reshaped customer priorities across defence, and this is now translating into a clear surge in demand, deeper engagement and a rapidly strengthening pipeline.”
He added: “Our participation across seven procurement frameworks is opening the door to increasingly material opportunities, and we are already seeing this reflected in the over 70% year-on-year increase in total orders and the exceptional more than 180% growth in new work orders.”
Reeves also noted the confidentiality that typically surrounds defence contracts, which can limit what is publicly disclosed, but said the early performance of the year “is a clear indicator of the momentum building across the business”.
After a recent fundraise, the company plans to accelerate development of its Procure X and Smart Suite products, which are aimed at improving how defence capabilities are sourced and delivered.
“With a record start to the year, improved visibility and a clearer strategic landscape, RC Fornax enters the remainder of FY26 with confidence and a strong platform for sustained growth,” Reeves said.