Merriman, Huw - Minister of State, Department for Transport - ACOBA advice and correspondence
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-10)

Advice to and correspondence with Huw Merriman, former Minister of State, Department for Transport, on business appointments after leaving Crown service

Mr Merriman left his role at the Department for Transport in July 2024.

Non Executive Chair, High Speed Rail Group

Mr Merriman sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with High Speed Rail Group. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68e92e92e5f463a62cb9867c/Advice_Letter_-_Huw_Merriman__Non_Executive_Chair__High_Speed_Rail_Group.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/merriman-huw-minister-of-state-the-department-for-transport-acoba-correspondence/advice-letter-huw-merriman-non-executive-chair-high-speed-rail-group?preview=8895233)

Consultant, Transport for Greater Manchester

Mr Merriman sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Transport for Greater Manchester. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68387ff2c99c4f37ab4e86a8/Advice_Letter-_Huw_Merriman__Consultant__Transport_for_Greater_Manchester.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in May 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/merriman-huw-minister-of-state-the-department-for-transport-acoba-correspondence/advice-letter-huw-merriman-consultant-transport-for-greater-manchester?preview=8657328)

Consultant, Rail Freight Group

Mr Merriman sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with the Rail Freight Group. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68388033c99c4f37ab4e86a9/Advice_Letter_-_Huw_Merriman__Consultant__Rail_Freight_Group.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in May 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/merriman-huw-minister-of-state-the-department-for-transport-acoba-correspondence/advice-letter-huw-merriman-consultant-rail-freight-group)

Honorary Patron, Railway Benefit Fund

Mr Merriman sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with the Railway Benefit Fund.The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68387f9cc99c4f37ab4e86a6/Advice_Letter_-_Huw_Merriman__Honorary_Patron__Railway_Benefit_Fund.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in February 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/merriman-huw-minister-of-state-the-department-for-transport-acoba-correspondence/advice-letter-huw-merriman-honorary-patron-railway-benefit-fund?preview=8656308)

Liverpool to Manchester Railway Partnership Board

The Chair of ACOBA wrote to Huw Merriman about his failure to seek advice in relation to joining the Liverpool to Manchester Railway Partnership Board in the role of Chair. Read the correspondence between Huw Merriman and ACOBA about the breach here (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6762ca09cdb5e64b69e3076d/2024-12-18_ACOBA_Chair_to_HM_Breach_-_LMRPB.pdf). An accessible version of the correspondence is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/merriman-huw-minister-of-state-the-department-for-transport-acoba-correspondence/correspondence-from-acoba-to-huw-merriman-breach-of-the-rules-liverpool-to-manchester-railway-partnership-board?preview=8377169)

ACOBA wrote to the Cabinet Office (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6762cac83229e84d9bbde7a7/2024-12-18_Reporting_to_HMG_HM_LMRPB.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/merriman-huw-minister-of-state-the-department-for-transport-acoba-correspondence/letter-from-acoba-to-the-cabinet-office-regarding-breach-of-the-rules-liverpool-to-manchester-railway-partnership-board?preview=8377198)