Government replaces CMA chair with ex-Amazon UK boss Doug Gurr


Competition and consumer-protection regulator appoints former leader of the UK and Chinese businesses of the retail and cloud services giant, who now serves as director of the Natural History Museum

Government has announced that the incumbent chair of regulator the Competition and Markets Authority is being replaced less than halfway through his scheduled five-year term.

Having taken on the post in September 2022, Marcus Bokkerink has been switched out for Doug Gurr (pictured above) – the former national leader Amazon’s business in first China and, latterly, the UK. He left his post as the tech giant’s UK chief in 2020 to take on a role as director of the Natural History Museum.

The departure of Bokkerink – a former senior manager at Boston Consulting Group – comes after senior figures from a range of the UK’s leading watchdog were reportedly asked to meet last week with chancellor Rachel Reeves to set out measures they could take “tear down regulatory barriers”. It has been widely reported that ministers found the CMA submissions lacklustre – and have thus decided to act swiftly to shake-up the regulator’s leadership.

Gurr will chair the organisation on an interim basis. Details of the recruitment process for a permanent leader will be announced by the Department for Business and Trade.


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I am honoured to be asked to chair the CMA at this crucial time,” Gurr said. “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.”

The role of the CMA is to promote competitive marketplaces, and ensure that consumers and markets are protected from unfair business practices.

Following Bokkerink’s removal from his post at the watchdog, he will “continue to make a contribution to public life in a new leadership role” that will be announced in due course, according to the business department.

Jonathan Reynolds, secretary of state for business and Trade, said: “The CMA plays a vital role in supporting consumers across the UK, and I want to thank Marcus Bokkerink for his leadership of the board since 2022. I’m pleased to welcome Doug as interim chair who will oversee the CMA while we recruit for a permanent position, supporting the leadership of CEO Sarah Cardell. This government has a clear Plan for Change – to boost growth for businesses and communities across the UK. As we’ve set out, we want to see regulators including the CMA supercharging the economy with pro-business decisions that will drive prosperity and growth, putting more money in people’s pockets.”

During his time as boss of Amazon UK, in 2020 Gurr was appointed as an independent member of the selection panel for the recruitment process of a new government chief digital officer – leading to ministers and public bodies facing questions about the potential for conflicts of interest.

Sam Trendall

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