Bergmans PR Consultants
Bergmans is a PR and lobbying firm specialising in the defence sector. It describes itself as “the optimum way to reach defence legislators and decision makers in the UK." Its website, however, has been 'under development' since late 2008.
People
Robin Ashby, managing partner and leader of the Government Affairs wing.
Defence networks
Bergmans is a “strategic alliance partner” of the International Aerospace and Defence Network (IADN), a network of companies that “provides a broad range of consulting services and systems to a global customer base in aerospace, defence, and homeland security.” Ashby is IADN’s Chief Operating and Finance Officer. The Honorary Chairman of IADN’s International Advisory Board is Paul Keetch MP, a former Shadow Secretary of State for Defence from Jan 2004 to June 2005 and a member of the Committee on Arms Export Controls. IADN’s CEO and US Country President is Martin Fisher who runs three defence consultancies.
Ashby is also Chairman of the Advisory Board of Raynard Research, a lobbying consultancy run by Paul Keetch.
Ashby is also the founder and Director of the UK Defence Forum. The Forum says it “represents an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to meet politicians, including those in Government, preparing for it or holding it to account; and to exchange information in confidence with them and others interested in defence, security and peace.” It considers all UK Parliamentarians to be ex offiicio members of the Forum. It is supported by arms companies including: BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, EADS, Finmeccanica, General Dynamics, QinetiQ, Raytheon, Rolls-Royce, Thales. The contact for the Forum is Bergmans.
The UK Defence Forum also provides support for the following All Party Parliamentary Groups, including the arrangement of dinners: the Army Group; the Group for the Reserve Forces; and the Royal Navy Group. Paul Keetch is member of the latter.
In June 2008, Robin Ashby was stripped of a Parliamentary pass given to him by Baroness Harris because it could be "open to misinterpretation". However, it is possible that he still has access to Parliament thanks to his ties to the UK Defence Forum and their support for various Parliamentary Groups.[1]
Clients
Clients at the end of 2008 include:
