Government Shake-Up: UK's Competition Watchdog Chair Dismissed to Prioritize Economic Growth

The UK government has dismissed Marcus Bokkerink, chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), citing concerns that the organization was not sufficiently focused on promoting economic growth. This decision comes as ministers participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos, aimed at attracting investment and signaling a commitment to growth.

Bokkerink, who held the chair since 2022, will be succeeded on an interim basis by Doug Gurr, a former head of Amazon UK. The CMA has recently faced scrutiny for obstructing mergers, including a notable case between Vodafone and Three Mobile Networks, which eventually received approval. According to government sources, the CMA’s recent proposals to stimulate economic growth were seen as inadequate. Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized the need for regulators to remove bureaucratic hurdles that hinder growth, insisting on a cultural shift in regulatory priorities.

Bokkerink warned against competition authorities compromising their integrity for short-term interests, asserting that a fair competitive landscape is essential for growth. His tenure was marked by attempts to maintain effective competition to benefit consumers and businesses alike.

The CMA, tasked with ensuring fair competition in the UK, faced criticism from Microsoft regarding its past merger decisions, including the initial blocking of Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard, which was later allowed after negotiations led to a revised proposal. CMA’s chief executive Sarah Cardell echoed the sentiment of the government’s growth mission, acknowledging Bokkerink’s contributions during his leadership.

Doug Gurr’s interim appointment may steer the CMA into a new direction, particularly as the authority prepares for upcoming changes, with several panel members stepping down later in the year.