Gregory Bagwell

This article is part of the Revolving Door project of Spinwatch.

Gregory Bagwell is a former Deputy Commander Operations, Air Command at the UK Ministry of Defence. He left the MOD in May 2016 and the Crown Service in December 2016.

He now works in the private sector as a strategic advisor to the CEO at British arms firm Cobham plc, which sells monitoring and phone surveillance technology and is among the top 50 global arms companies.

Revolving door roles

ACOBA Recommendations:

Cobham plc

ACOBA letter regarding Bagwell's request to take up a commission with Cobham plc in June 2017:

• New commission with Cobham plc under your independent consultancy. Cobham plc is a UK based technology, manufacturing and services organisation, which operates globally. The Committee noted that your commission would involve providing advice to Cobham on military matters. It is likely to involve approximately 100 days of work per year. Given the international nature of the company, the vast majority of the work would concern Europe, the Middle East and Asia although some work will be in the UK. The nature the advice would be defence wide and focus primarily on increasing the company’s understanding of military requirements and looking into emerging markets and capabilities.

When considering your application the Committee noted that the MOD has contractual dealings with Cobham plc, including a large contract through the AirTanker Consortium However, it took into account that while at the MOD you worked in operations, and never had any involvement in procurement matters. It also took into account your assurance that you had no dealings with Cobham during your time at the MOD. The Committee agrees that this commission is permissible within the terms of your independent consultancy, which was defined as a general aerospace consultancy.

The Committee has decided that, given the contractual relationship between Cobham plc and the MOD it would be appropriate to extend the 12-month ban on providing advice in relation to the terms of a bid or contract relating directly to the work of the MOD to two years for this Commission.

Other roles

• KPMG, the Committee’s advice letter was sent in November 2016.
• Martin-Baker, the Committee’s advice letter was sent in November 2016.
• QI Results, the Committee’s advice letter was sent in December 2016.
• Cobham, the Committee’s advice letter was sent in June 2017 and the work was taken up the following month. In addition to the conditions that apply to his independent consultancy, the Committee decided that, given the contractual relationship between Cobham plc and the MOD, it would be appropriate to extend the 12-month ban on providing advice in relation to the terms of a bid or contract relating directly to the work of the MOD to two years for this particular Commission.

External resources

• Campaign Against Arms Trade, Greg Bagwell, Meetings, Political Influence Database