Grant Shapps quits aerospace firm after watchdog probe

"Sir Grant Shapps resigned as chairman of Cambridge Aerospace on 30 April "to simplify matters" and after the firm secured a multimillion-pound government missile contract. He said he had had no involvement in the deal or the company's military work and, despite a title of "chairman", had not chaired its board or been a director, but was "one of several co-founders"."

"Ministerial ethics watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus said he had "allowed a perception of impropriety to develop" and "failed to uphold the standards expected in the rules". The watchdog initially contacted Sir Grant following the announcement on 10 April of a contract for Cambridge Aerospace to supply the UK and its Gulf allies with "Skyhammer" interceptor missiles."

"The now defunct Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) approved his role with the company in 2025 on condition that he play no part in its defence-related work until two years after he left office. Acoba's decision was criticised by anti-corruption campaigners at the time, including Labour MP Phil Brickell, who said Sir Grant's claim the company was focused on "civilian aerospace" was "stretching credulity"."

"In correspondence with Sir Grant, Sir Laurie questioned whether he had complied with this condition, noting the company "seems publicly to have only one project, which is defence-related". The watchdog initially contacted Sir Grant following the announcement on 10 April of a contract for Cambridge Aerospace to supply the UK and its Gulf allies with "Skyhammer" interceptor missiles."

Sir Grant Shapps resigned as chairman of Cambridge Aerospace on 30 April to simplify matters after the company secured a multimillion-pound government missile contract. He said he had no involvement in the deal or the company’s military work and that he had not chaired the board or been a director, describing himself as one of several co-founders. Ministerial ethics watchdog Sir Laurie Magnus said Shapps allowed a perception of impropriety and failed to uphold expected standards. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments had approved the role in 2025 with a condition that he play no part in defence-related work for two years after leaving office. The watchdog questioned whether the condition was met after a Skyhammer interceptor missile contract announcement.

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