In a bid to boost growth and support the economy, Doug Gurr has
today [21st January 2025] been appointed as interim Chair of the
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Doug, currently the Director of the Natural History Museum, will
bring a wealth of experience in the technology sector as the
former Country Manager of Amazon UK and President of Amazon
China.
It comes off the back of a meeting of the country's leading
regulators with the Business Secretary and the Chancellor, who
were asked to tear down the barriers hindering business and
refocus their efforts on promoting growth.
In the coming weeks, the Department for Business and Trade will
set out the process for recruiting a new permanent Chair of the
CMA.
Secretary of State for Business and Trade,
said:
The CMA plays a vital role in supporting consumers across the UK,
and I want to thank Marcus Bokkerink for his leadership of the
Board since 2022.
I'm pleased to welcome Doug as interim Chair who will oversee the
CMA while we recruit for a permanent position, supporting the
leadership of CEO Sarah Cardell.
This Government has a clear Plan for Change - to boost growth for
businesses and communities across the UK. As we've set out, we
want to see regulators including the CMA supercharging the
economy with pro-business decisions that will drive prosperity
and growth, putting more money in people's pockets.
Doug Gurr said:
I am honoured to be asked to Chair the CMA at this crucial time.
I look forward to working with the strong leadership team to help
deliver business investment and economic growth in a framework of
effective competition and consumer protection.
As set out in the Industrial Strategy Green Paper, the Government
will shortly be consulting on a new growth-focused Strategic
Steer to the CMA. The Prime Minister set out in his speech at the
International Investment Summit, this Government will make sure
that every regulator in the UK focuses on
growth.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted the
resignation of the Chair of the Competition and Markets
Authority, Marcus Bokkerink and expressed his gratitude for
Marcus's leadership of the Board of the CMA since his appointment
in September 2022 and the work of the CMA in that time,
particularly in response to cost-of-living
pressures.
During Marcus Bokkerink's tenure as CMA Chair, he successfully
delivered on the five priorities he identified when he took on
the role. This includes strengthening the governance of the CMA
by forming a new Board and onboarding Sarah Cardell as the new
CEO; unifying the organisation behind a single clear strategy and
operating model focused on positive outcomes for consumers and
businesses, delivering new levels of impact; and stepping up the
CMA's transparency and engagement with consumers, businesses and
other stakeholders.
The Secretary of State is pleased Marcus will continue to make a
contribution to public life in a new leadership role, the details
of which will be announced in due course.
