Simon Orange is a British entrepreneur, investor and rugby club owner best known as the founder and chairman of CorpAcq and as a co-owner of Sale Sharks. His career has been built through company acquisitions, long-term investment and a close connection to Manchester. He founded CorpAcq in 2006 and developed it into a major investment group with interests across established businesses.
Simon Orange Age and Early Life
Simon Sebastian Orange was born on 8 August 1967 and turned 59 in August 2026. Companies House confirms his birth month and year as August 1967, while Sale Sharks birthday posts support 8 August as his birthday. He is British and grew up in Wythenshawe, Manchester. He attended Haveley Hey Community School and later built much of his business life in Greater Manchester and Cheshire. CorpAcq is based in Altrincham, while many of his investment and sporting interests remain tied to the North West.
Simon Orange Wife: Who Is Michelle Orange?
Simon Orange is married to Karin Michelle Orange, commonly known as Michelle Orange. Official corporate documents identify her as his wife, while Sale Sharks presents Simon and Michelle together as co-owners of the club. Michelle has said that she met Simon one week after she turned 18. Their relationship began when they were young adults and has continued for decades. The couple also lived in New York from 2009 before later returning to Britain.
Michelle has become an important part of Sale Sharks. She takes an active interest in the club, including its women’s programme and wider community work. In June 2026, Simon and Michelle appeared together in an interview with BBC North West Tonight, shared through the official Sale Sharks channel. They discussed the 2025/26 season and plans for 2026/27 and beyond, showing that both remain closely involved in the club’s future.
Simon Orange Marriage and Family Life
The exact date of Simon and Michelle’s wedding has not been made widely available. However, Michelle has spoken openly about their married life and long partnership. They have also shared major decisions connected with Sale Sharks and have treated the club as an important part of their personal legacy.
Does Simon Orange Have Children?
Simon and Michelle Orange do not have children of their own. Michelle has spoken directly about this while discussing their long-term plans and commitment to Sale Sharks. She explained that not having children has shaped how they think about wealth and inheritance. Sale Sharks has therefore become more than a financial investment for them and holds a deeply personal place in their lives.
Simon Orange and CorpAcq
The central business in his career is CorpAcq. He founded the investment group in 2006 and built it through the acquisition of profitable small and medium-sized companies. CorpAcq’s model is based on buying established businesses while keeping experienced management teams in place. Rather than changing every operation after acquisition, the group supports existing leaders with capital, guidance and long-term ownership.
Simon has been involved in identifying acquisitions, negotiating transactions, arranging funding and shaping strategy. This approach helped CorpAcq develop into a large investment group with interests across industrial products and services.
Simon Orange and the £1 Billion CorpAcq Deal
A major milestone came in 2025 when private-equity firm TDR Capital acquired a majority interest in CorpAcq. The transaction was valued at more than £1 billion. Simon did not simply sell and leave. He and the existing management team retained a significant shareholding and continued to have an interest in the company.
Companies House records also show that Orange UK Holdings Limited holds a substantial minority interest in the CorpAcq structure. Simon controls at least 75 per cent of Orange UK Holdings, giving him continued financial exposure to the business he founded.
Simon Orange Net Worth
His net worth has been estimated at about £1.25 billion in rugby wealth rankings. The figure should be described as an estimate because his exact personal finances have not been officially disclosed. The scale of his wealth is supported by his major business interests. CorpAcq attracted a majority investment valued at more than £1 billion, while Simon kept a significant stake. He has also continued to make large investments after that transaction.
Some business publications have called him a self-made millionaire, while others have described him as a billionaire owner. Private holdings can be difficult to value precisely, so £1.25 billion is best presented as an estimated figure rather than a confirmed personal balance sheet.
Simon Orange and William Hare Group
After the CorpAcq transaction, Simon continued investing. In 2025, he acquired a majority stake in William Hare Group, a major British structural steel company with roots dating back to 1888. William Hare works on major construction and engineering projects and generates hundreds of millions of pounds in annual turnover. The purchase price was not disclosed. The investment showed that Simon remained active after the TDR deal and continued placing capital into established British companies.
Simon Orange at Prefequity
In 2025, Simon joined Prefequity as a Senior Adviser. The firm invests in lower mid-market companies across the UK. His role focuses on strengthening Prefequity’s network across the North of England, especially Manchester and the North West. His relationship with Prefequity goes back to 2013, when the firm first backed CorpAcq. It later supported further investments alongside Simon and his team.
Simon Orange and Sale Sharks
Simon became a major figure in English rugby when he became involved in the ownership of Sale Sharks in 2016. He has served as a director of Manchester Sale Rugby Club Limited since June 2016 and has also held a directorship in Sharks Holdings Limited. A 2025 feature stated that Simon held a 75 per cent interest in the club, with Ged Mason holding 25 per cent. Michelle Orange is also described by Sale Sharks as a co-owner and remains actively involved.
Simon Orange’s Vision for Sale Sharks
Simon’s approach to rugby ownership has focused on long-term development rather than short-term results alone. Investment has gone into the club, its community work and its future structure.
Simon Orange Family and Jason Orange
Simon is the brother of Jason Orange, an original member of Take That. Jason became famous through music and entertainment, while Simon built his name in business and professional sport. Their brother Justin Orange has also been involved in business ventures. Although the Take That connection attracts attention, Simon’s own career is firmly established through CorpAcq, Sale Sharks and his wider investments.
Simon Orange Companies and Directorships
Companies House records show a long history of corporate appointments. His active roles include CorpAcq Holdings Limited, CorpAcq Limited, PRL Investor Limited, Orange UK Holdings Limited, Manchester Sale Rugby Club Limited, Sharks Holdings Limited and Orange Investments One Limited.
He has also held roles connected with Powder Bowl Trading, Vecapital Property Company, Morcor, Fabrica Holdings, Regency Glass, Premier Rugby and Dunham Group. These appointments show the breadth of his interests across investment, property, industry and professional rugby.
Simon Orange Wikipedia
Simon Orange does not have a dedicated English-language Wikipedia biography as of August 2026. His name is mentioned on pages connected with Sale Sharks and some businesses, but there is no full standalone page covering his life and career. For that reason, details about his age, family and business interests are better supported by company records, official club material and corporate documents.
Simon Orange Today
By 2026, Simon Orange had built a career connecting private investment, industrial businesses and elite sport. At 59, he remains linked with CorpAcq, continues to invest independently, advises Prefequity and plays an active role in Sale Sharks.
His estimated £1.25 billion fortune reflects the scale of the businesses connected with him, though the exact figure remains private. His marriage to Michelle Orange is also central to his rugby life, with both working closely on Sale Sharks.
From founding CorpAcq in 2006 to retaining equity after a billion-pound transaction and continuing to invest in major British companies, Simon has built a substantial business legacy with strong Manchester roots.
Final Thoughts on Simon Orange
Simon Orange has built his career through patient investment, company ownership and long-term planning. CorpAcq brought major financial success, while Sale Sharks gave him a leading place in English professional rugby. His work with William Hare Group and Prefequity shows that he remains active in business while maintaining strong links with Manchester and the North West.
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