Merran has over thirty years of experience in local government, leading services across housing, social care, culture, and community development. She is currently Chair of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and has been statutory Director of Adult Social Care and Chief Executive at Calderdale and Wakefield Councils. Merran has a professional qualification in housing, an MBA and is a qualified executive coach. She retired as Chief Executive of Wakefield Council in 2020 and now undertakes short term consultancy and interim work in the public sector, as well as a Board member of several charities, including The Hepworth Wakefield.

Merran has been a YSP trustee since 2019 and is a member of the People and Governance committee.