New Transport Secretary Mark Harper became an MP in 2005
(Picture: UK Government)Mark Harper was appointed Secretary of State for Transport in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s new Cabinet on October 25, 2022.
Mr Sunak’s reshuffle has involved Suella Braverman being reinstated as Home Secretary, Steve Barclay reappointed Health Secretary, and Dominic Raab appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
Jeremy Hunt will remain the Chancellor of the Exchequer, while Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed Minister without Portfolio and James Cleverly is Foreign Secretary.
Therese Coffey is now Environment Secretary, Grant Shapps is Business Secretary, and Penny Mordaunt is the leader of the Commons.
The Rt Hon Mark Harper MP @Mark_J_Harper has been appointed Secretary of State for Transport @TransportGovUK. #Reshuffle pic.twitter.com/zJxIxtpySL
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) October 25, 2022
Many Cabinet members’ names will be familiar, with a number of them having served in former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s cabinet.
But who is Mark Harper, the new Transport Secretary?
Who is Mark Harper?
Mark Harper was elected Conservative MP for the Forest of Dean in May 2005.
He has previously worked as Chief Whip, Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, Minister for Immigration, and Minister for Disabled People.
Before becoming a politician, Mr Harper was a chartered accountant with the professional services network, KPMG. He worked for Intel Corporation across finance, business operations and marketing. He also established his own chartered accountancy business in the Forest of Dean.
Mr Harper studied philosophy, politics and economics at Brasenose College, Oxford.
His wife is called Margaret and they have two rescue labradors, Chase and Sophie. According to his website, he enjoys travelling and keeping fit.
Announcing his role on Twitter, Mr Harper said: “Delighted to be appointed Secretary of State for Transport by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“Transport affects us all, and I can’t wait to tackle the challenges we face so we can deliver for communities across our United Kingdom.”
💼 Delighted to be appointed Secretary of State for Transport by Prime Minister @RishiSunak.
— Mark Harper (@Mark_J_Harper) October 25, 2022
🇬🇧 Transport affects us all, and I can’t wait to tackle the challenges we face so we can deliver for communities across our United Kingdom.
👉 @TransportGovUK https://t.co/pPlcLhO9vS pic.twitter.com/1w4n2xV30N
What does the Transport Secretary do?
The Transport Secretary is responsible for a number of areas, such as security (including Ukraine), civil contingencies, supply chains, and maritime.
The Department for Transport works with agencies and partners to “support the transport network that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country”.
It also “plans and invests in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move”.
The role has previously been held by the likes of Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Grant Shapps, Chris Grayling, Sir Patrick McLoughlin, Justine Greening, and Philip Hammond.
