Mark Harper has been named as the third transport secretary in less than two months as part of new prime minister Rishi Sunak’s ministerial reshuffle.
He takes over the role from Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who was appointed in early September by former prime minister Liz Truss.
The Forest of Dean MP and former accountant was chief whip of the House of Commons at the end of David Cameron’s premiership.
Meanwhile, Grant Shapps, who oversaw the transport brief during the pandemic but was ousted to the back benches by Truss, has been made business secretary taking over from Jacob Rees-Mogg. The new role for Shapps comes after less than a week as home secretary.
He tweeted: “As business and energy secretary I look forward to leading the department to ‘fix’ our energy market and deliver growth and prosperity for the UK.”
Harper chaired the Covid Recovery Group of Conservative MPs, a group that was against lockdown restrictions, and backed remain during the 2016 EU referendum.
He said on Twitter: “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.”
Business Travel Association chief executive Clive Wratten was the first industry leader to respond to Harper’s appointment.
“The BTA welcomes the appointment of Mark Harper MP to the position of secretary of state for transport,” he said.
“We look forward to working in close collaboration to further the growth of the UK’s infrastructure, and the promotion of aviation for British business and international trade.
“This is a vital time for businesses of all sizes, and we need a period of stability in order to grow confidence in business travel once more.”
Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade said: “We’re looking forward to engaging.
“For UK airlines the priorities are clear – we need to drive forward with the jet zero agenda, speeding up the airspace modernisation programme and establishing a price support mechanism that can incentivise investment in a UK sustainable aviation fuels industry, ensuring we meet the government target of having plants under construction by 2025.
“Outside of that, working closely with government to ensure next summer is a success and we have the people in place, with the right skills, to match demand.”
Michelle Donelan has been reappointed culture secretary at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – which oversees tourism – having served in the same role under Truss.