The business secretary has named former Amazon boss Doug Gurr as the preferred candidate for the role of permanent chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Gurr is currently interim chair and has been since January 2025, following the departure of previous chair Marcus Bokkerink who was ousted by government ministers for not adequately focusing on growth.
Business secretary Peter Kyle has selected Gurr as the preferred candidate after he and CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell introduced major reforms to try to boost growth and business confidence.
In the announcement, the government said Gurr and Cardell have helped transform the CMA by “improving the pace, predictability, proportionality and process of their merger investigations”.
Subject to a parliamentary hearing, Gurr will oversee the CMA for the next five years. He has had a long career as a tech entrepreneur and senior business leader, and has held board and leadership roles across various sectors.
Last month, the Department for Business and Trade launched a consultation into measures aimed at improving competition in the UK.
The proposals will look at “streamlining review times, greater certainty on when mergers will be subject to investigation” and “increased powers to support consumers further”.
Kyle said: “Under Doug Gurr’s leadership as interim chair, the CMA is playing a key role in delivering the government’s pro-growth agenda, ensuring the UK is a place where businesses can grow and invest with confidence.
“I look forward to Doug leading the delivery of the CMA’s three-year strategy to drive economic growth and improve household prosperity.”
Gurr added: “The government has been clear in its commitment to delivering economic growth and improving household prosperity. I have enjoyed my time at the CMA and can see a clear contribution we can make here through promoting competition and protecting consumers.
“It would be both a pleasure and a privilege to continue this important work.”
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