Heappey, James- Minister of State, Ministry of Defence-  ACOBA correspondence
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-10)

Correspondence with James Heappey, former Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, on business appointments after leaving Crown service

Mr Heappey left his role at the Ministry of Defence in March 2024.

Senior Advisor, Serco Group Plc

Mr Heappey sought the committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Serco Group Plc. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68e7ce5657038b5739b985ed/Advice_Letter__James_Heappey__Senior_Adviser__Serco.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in October 2025; and the appointment was taken up later that month. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/heappey-james-minister-of-state-ministry-of-defence-acoba-correspondence/advice-letter-james-heappey-senior-advisor-serco-group-plc?preview=8893501)

Senior Advisor, Helsing Limited

Mr Heappey sought the committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Helsing Limited. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d68a8829e2934106866426/Advice_Letter_-_James_Heappey__Senior_Advisor__Helsing_Limited.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in August 2025; and the appointment was taken up in September 2025. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/heappey-james-minister-of-state-ministry-of-defence-acoba-correspondence/advice-letter-james-heappey-senior-advisor-helsing-limited?preview=8869824)

Senior Advisor, AECOM

Mr Heappey sought the committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with AECOM. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68109e45bb145081834d6227/Advice_Letter_-_James_Heappey__Senior_Advisor__Aecom.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in April 2025; and the appointment was taken up in May 2025. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/heappey-james-minister-of-state-ministry-of-defence-acoba-correspondence/advice-letter-james-heappey-senior-advisor-aecom?preview=8601729)

HPO Technologies Limited

The Chair of ACOBA wrote to James Heappey about his failure to seek advice in relation to joining HPO Technologies Limited in the role of Senior Advisor. Read the correspondence between James Heappey and ACOBA about the breach here (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6762e8eebe7b2c675de307c4/2024-12-18__Chair_correpondence_to_MH-_Breach_-_HPO_Technologies.pdf). An accessible version of the correspondence is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/heappey-james-minister-of-state-ministry-of-defence-acoba-correspondence/correspondence-from-acoba-to-james-heappey-breach-of-the-rules-hpo-technologies-ltd?preview=8378060)

ACOBA wrote to the Cabinet Office (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6762eabbbe7b2c675de307ce/_2024-12-18__Letter_reporting_breach_to_HMG-_JH_HPO_Technologies.pdf) reporting this breach of the Rules. An accessible version of the correspondence is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/heappey-james-minister-of-state-ministry-of-defence-acoba-correspondence/letter-from-acoba-to-the-cabinet-office-regarding-breach-of-the-rules-hpo-technologies-limited?preview=8378074)