The UK government has made the decision to remove Marcus Bokkerink from his role as the chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), citing concerns that the watchdog was not sufficiently prioritizing economic growth. Government insiders revealed that, particularly with key ministers, such as the Chancellor and Business Secretary, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos to attract investment, the government wanted to send a clear message that it was serious about fostering growth in the UK economy. This decision follows the CMA’s blocking of a merger between Vodafone and Three Mobile Networks, which was eventually approved after significant scrutiny.
Bokkerink, who had served as the CMA’s chair since 2022, will be temporarily replaced by Doug Gurr, the former head of Amazon UK. Gurr’s appointment marks a shift in leadership as the CMA’s submission on how to stimulate economic growth was deemed inadequate by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Reeves had urged regulators to focus less on risks and more on driving expansion. She called for a cultural shift within regulatory bodies, asking them to work on removing bureaucratic barriers that impede business growth.
In a statement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reinforced this stance, telling a group of investors that the government was committed to ensuring competition regulators take growth as seriously as the business world does. Starmer emphasized that economic and competition regulators needed to support the country’s economic objectives, rather than focusing solely on compliance or regulation.
Bokkerink, in response to his removal, expressed concerns that competition authorities should not be swayed by short-term political considerations. He argued that the CMA’s approach, which sought to maintain fair and effective competition, was essential for promoting growth and ensuring that businesses—both large and small—had a fair chance to succeed. Bokkerink’s philosophy was built around the belief that businesses should compete based on merit and innovation, without the hindrance of unfair regulatory obstacles.
The CMA’s handling of major mergers has come under intense scrutiny in recent months. For instance, Microsoft’s acquisition of the gaming giant Activision Blizzard was initially blocked by the CMA, a decision that led to criticism from Microsoft’s vice-chair, Brad Smith. Smith had labeled the UK as “bad for business” and claimed that the country’s regulatory environment had severely shaken investor confidence. Despite the initial opposition, the CMA ultimately approved the $69 billion deal after Microsoft made adjustments to its offer, with Smith later acknowledging the CMA’s fairness in the matter.
Doug Gurr, who steps in as interim chair, is no stranger to leadership roles. Having led Amazon UK and served as the company’s president in China, Gurr brings a wealth of experience in the business sector. He currently serves as the director of the Natural History Museum in London, a role he has held since 2020. His interim appointment will help steer the CMA through a period of transition, with 11 members of the CMA’s merger panel, responsible for approving large deals, also set to step down later this year.
The merger panel, which comprises independent experts, plays a vital role in deciding whether large mergers can proceed in the UK. The panel’s upcoming changes could further impact how the CMA handles major corporate deals and whether the government’s growth agenda is effectively integrated into the CMA’s work.
The reshuffling of leadership at the CMA highlights the increasing pressure on regulators to focus on fostering business growth while balancing the need for fair competition. As the UK government looks to create a more conducive environment for economic expansion, the role of competition authorities in achieving this objective will be closely scrutinized in the months ahead.
