Harper’s other roles in government have included Chief Whip (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury), Minister for Disabled People and Minister for Immigration.
He was educated at Headlands school, Swindon, and Swindon College, before studying philosophy, politics and economics at Brasenose College, Oxford.
Harper qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 1995. Until 2002 he worked for Intel Corporation in a variety of fields, including finance, business operations and marketing, before establishing his own chartered accountancy business in the Forest of Dean.
On his appointment, a “delighted” Harper said: “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.”