The UK government has replaced Marcus Bokkerink as Chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), signaling its intent to prioritize economic growth.
Bokkerink, who had held the position since 2022, will be succeeded on an interim basis by Doug Gurr, the current Director of the Natural History Museum and a former executive at Amazon.
The decision comes as government ministers seek to align regulators with their pro-growth agenda. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds emphasized the need to reduce regulatory barriers and stimulate business investment.
Reeves, who recently met with regulators, including CMA representatives, described the CMA’s growth proposals as “underwhelming.” She stated:
“Every regulator… has a part to play by tearing down the regulatory barriers that hold back growth.”
Bokkerink, appointed in 2022, emphasized fostering growth through fair competition and consumer protection during his tenure. However, government sources suggested his approach did not align closely enough with the administration’s economic objectives.
Doug Gurr, who led Amazon UK and Amazon China before joining the Natural History Museum, will step in as interim chair while the Department for Business and Trade seeks a permanent replacement. Gurr expressed enthusiasm for the role, stating:
“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.”
Under Bokkerink’s leadership, the CMA faced criticism and praise for its decisions, including its initial block of Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which it later approved after revisions to the deal. The CMA also recently reviewed and eventually approved the Vodafone-Three Mobile Networks merger.
Critics, including some industry leaders, have argued that the CMA’s cautious approach to mergers and acquisitions has hindered business growth. Microsoft’s Brad Smith previously described the UK as “bad for business” after the CMA’s initial block of the Activision deal.
The government’s Plan for Change aims to position regulators as drivers of economic growth. Business Secretary Reynolds reiterated the importance of regulators like the CMA aligning with this mission, saying:
“We want to see regulators… supercharging the economy with pro-business decisions that will drive prosperity and growth.”
The CMA’s CEO Sarah Cardell reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting growth while protecting competition and consumers. She thanked Bokkerink for his contributions, noting his efforts to enhance the CMA’s governance and strategic focus.
