the Local Government Association, succeeding Baroness Eaton. He stood down on 8 July 2014. In 2015 he became the first Chairman of the UK Municipal Bonds Agency plc, a local government owned body that will issue bonds and other financial instruments to allow local authorities to borrow more competitively. In August 2015, The Mayor of London appointed Sir Merrick to be the Chairman of the Crossrail 2 Growth Commission, which reported on the economic viability of the proposed rail route linking North East and South West suburbs under central London. Honours Cockell was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, 2010, "for services to local government". References External links Merrick Cockell profile 1957 births Living people Conservative Party (UK) councillors Councillors in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Knights Bachelor People educated at Pierrepont School, Frensham British businesspeople Leaders of local authorities of England Chairs of the Local Government Association