Watchdog boss quit 'because he had different approach to Government', says Reeves
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The UK's competition watchdog chairman stepped down due to a "different strategic approach" from the Government, according to the Chancellor. Speaking in Davos, Switzerland, Rachel Reeves explained that Marcus Bokkerink believed it was time to "make way for somebody who does share the mission" of the Labour Government. His exit from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened the door for former Amazon UK country manager, Doug Gurr, to take over. In a push for economic growth, the Government has instructed regulators like the CMA to balance growth support with their regulatory duties.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Ms Reeves met with heads of UK regulators at Downing Street recently to discuss their growth-focused strategies. After Mr. Bokkerink's resignation, Ms Reeves noted while in Davos: "Now, of course, the regulators are independent, and the chair of the CMA decided to step down, but he recognised that this Government have got a different strategic approach when it comes to regulation.".
She added: "He recognised it was time for him to move on and make way for somebody who does share the mission and the strategic direction that this Government are taking.". The Chancellor, meanwhile, has started receiving letters detailing proposals from various regulatory agencies.
The official expressed optimism, stating: "I’ve got to say, the responses we’ve had, a lot of them have been incredibly positive about things that they can do.". TheCMA has seen a shift in leadership amid criticisms, including from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who remarked at an investment summit in October that his government "will make sure that every regulator in this country, especially our economic and competition regulators, takes growth as seriously as this room does". Earlier on, the CMA faced flak from Microsoft after it initially opposed the company's desired acquisition of gaming colossus Activision Blizzard.
