Former Labour MP Rob Flello joins Brevia Consulting as Transport Chair
Brevia Consulting has hired former Labour MP Rob Flello as Chair of its Transport division. Before his time in Parliament, Flello worked for PwC and former ‘Big Five’ member Arthur Andersen.
Brevia Consulting is a full service public affairs agency, which operates across the UK. The firm boasts offices in London, Brussels, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. However, as a member of ION (a global communications agency network) Brevia also has 29 partner agencies operating in 47 countries. The network allows the group to offer support to clients across the EU and other major markets. The firm offers businesses politicial advice, and according to the company’s website, it does this with “No spin, no fuss,” delivering services in intelligence, strategy and engagement in the process.
Adding to its strong political pedigree, the organisation has announced the appointment of Rob Flello as Chairman of Brevia Transport, as well as a new member of its advisory board. Flello brings over 12 years of Parliamentary experience to the role, but also notable business experience. The former PwC personal tax advisor spent around six years with the professional services giant, before leaving for a role at then-Big-Five competitor Arthur Andersen in 1995. Four years later, he co-founded Platts Flell, a tax and financial advisory, working at the new firm at the same time as having been elected as a Labour Party councillor to the Longbridge ward of Birmingham City Council in 2002. Flello was elected to the House of Commons at the 2005 General Election for Stoke-on-Trent South following the retirement of incumbent MP George Stevenson. Flello was unseated in the 2017 General Election, having fallen out of favour with Labour Party activists, following his controversial opposition of abortion rights, same sex marriage, and for his recent criticism of incumbent Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. However, the former representative, who is also is also a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, spent over a decade in the Commons.
During his spell in the UK’s supreme legislative body, he held positions on the Science and Technology Select Committee and the Transport Select Committee, as well as chairing the All-Party Parliamentary Freight Transport Group – something which Brevia will hope provides him with key insights for his new role.
Brevia Consulting’s managing director David Beamer said of Flello’s appointment, “During his twelve years as a Member of Parliament, Rob demonstrated an expertise in transport policy which will massively benefit our clients and help us grow the division.”
Flello added, “I am excited to have joined Brevia, which already has a strong reputation in the transport sector. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to develop our transport client base and provide expert advice and support to clients.”
The appointment adds to a number of senior appointments for ex-MPs in the consulting industry. Former Cabinet Office Minister Ben Gummer, who similarly lost his seat in the 2017 election, was recently cleared to take up a role with McKinsey & Company, while former Ministers Ed Davey and Francis Maude established boutique firms following their exits from Parliament.