Gillian Merron MP - Cabinet Office Minister and Minister for the East
Midlands
Biography
Gillian was appointed as a Cabinet Office Minister and Minister for the
East Midlands in June 2007. Her departmental responsibilities encompass
social exclusion, transformational government and civil service issues. As
Regional Minister Gillian provides a direct link between Government and
people in the region whose interests she champions.
Before joining the Cabinet Office, Gillian was a Parliamentary Secretary at
the Department of Transport, where she was responsible for a wide range of
issues including aviation, buses, taxis, mobility and inclusion.
She has also been a Government Whip and an Assistant Government Whip, as
well as Parliamentary Private Secretary to three Government ministers: Dr
John Reid, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (2001-02);
Baroness Symons, former Minister for Defence Procurement Baroness Symons
(1999-2001); and former Minister for the Armed Forces Doug Henderson
(1998-99).
Gillian was elected MP for Lincoln in 1997. Born on 12 April 1959, she was
educated at Wanstead High School and Lancaster University, where she gained
a BSc (Hons) in Management Sciences. Gillian has lived and worked in the
East Midlands for many years, starting work in 1982 as a Business
Development Adviser before becoming a Local Government Officer then a Trade
Union Official for NUPE and UNISON.
Gillian's main interests outside of politics are supporting Lincoln
City Football Club, running, gym and films.
