A third-generation Freemason, Merrick was initiated into Wenallt Lodge No. 9082 in 1994, and installed as Master in 2003. He is a Past Master of Albert Edward Court Lodge of Research No. 9908, a member of Hendre Lodge No. 3250, Charity Steward of Lodge of Benevolence No. 7305, Mentor of Welsh Installed Masters Lodge No. 9857 (under the Metropolitan Grand Lodge) and a member of the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle. He is also an honorary member of Welsh Rugby Clubs Lodge and Tennant Lodge, and is the Grand Officer mandated to Lodge of Amity. He is Treasurer of Wenallt Chapter No. 9082 and Colonnade Chapter No. 7305, where he is also the Preceptor, and is the current Charity Steward of Hendre Chapter. He is also a member of Cambria Mark Lodge and current Worshipful Commander of Cambria Royal Ark Mariners Lodge. In the Order of Royal and Select Masters, he is Deputy Master of The St Augustine Council.
In 2015 he was appointed Past Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies and took a fully-active role in ceremonial duties around the Province. In 2017 he was appointed Provincial Grand Orator and Learning & Development Officer and became a subject manager for the Solomon learning platform. In 2023 he was appointed Provincial Grand Charity Steward for both Royal Arch and Craft Provinces. He has recently published a short book entitled “A Freemason’s History of Jerusalem”.
In 2018 he was appointed Assistant Grand Pursuivant in UGLE.
He works for Aviva where he is Head of Governance for the Group’s Global Investment Operations. He lives in Newport and is married to Julie, with four children and two grandchildren between them. His other interests include rugby, music, gardening and their garden pub, the Trowel and Tankard.