Competition watchdog chief Marcus Bokkerink ousted as ministers bid to boost growth
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Ministers have ousted the head of the competition regulator as they looks to cut red tape to boost economic growth. Marcus Bokkerink, who became chairman of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in 2022, will step down despite not completing his five-year term. Doug Gurr, former head of Amazon’s UK business and a director of the Natural History Museum, will replace him.
Bokkerink’s exit followed an intervention from Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds after his department concluded the regulator was not sufficiently focused on growth, the FT reported. The CMA did not respond to a request for comment. A wider shake-up at the regulator is also expected later this year as 11 members of its 33-strong merger panel, an independent group of experts tasked with reviewing whether any deals will harm competition, are set to retire in 2025.
The Government will appoint their replacements, many of whom are expected to come from business backgrounds. The ousting of the CMA’s chairman comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Reynolds wrote to the country’s regulators encouraging them to be ‘more pro-growth and pro-investment’.
Out: Marcus Bokkerink (pictured), who became of Competition and Markets Authority chairman in 2022, will not complete his five-year term. Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.
