UK Appoints Doug Gurr as Interim Antitrust Chair

New Interim Chairman Appointed to the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority

Doug Gurr, a former executive from Amazon, has been named the interim chairman of the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). He is shown in the image above.

This appointment coincides with the U.K.’s efforts to establish itself as a nation supportive of growth and technological advancement. A key focus of this strategy involves reducing administrative burdens and streamlining regulations, with artificial intelligence (AI) being a central component.

Ongoing Cloud Services Market Investigation

The timing also aligns with the nearing conclusion of a lengthy investigation into the U.K.’s cloud services market. This investigation has placed Amazon under significant scrutiny from the CMA.

The government highlighted Gurr’s previous role at Amazon in its announcement on Tuesday. It emphasized his appointment as a means to stimulate economic growth and bolster the economy.

Government Statements on Regulatory Goals

Jonathan Reynolds, the U.K.’s secretary of state for business and trade, articulated the government’s objectives in a formal statement. He indicated that Gurr will contribute substantial experience gained from his career within the technology industry.

“Our Plan for Change is designed to foster growth for businesses and communities throughout the U.K.,” Reynolds stated. “We expect regulators, including the CMA, to actively promote economic expansion through business-friendly decisions.”

The goal is to drive prosperity and increase financial well-being for citizens, according to the statement. This will be achieved by implementing policies that put more money into people’s pockets.

Key takeaways include a shift towards pro-business regulation and a focus on leveraging technological expertise within the CMA.

The Influence of Big Tech on Regulatory Appointments

Doug Gurr began his tenure with Amazon’s U.K. operations in 2011, initially serving as the VP overseeing the “hardlines” sector, encompassing items like garden supplies and toys. He subsequently assumed the position of country manager for Amazon’s Chinese business in 2014, before returning to lead U.K. operations in 2016. Gurr departed from Amazon in 2020 to accept a directorship at the Natural History Museum.

The outgoing chair, Marcus Bokkerink, possessed a background more rooted in consultancy than direct commerce, and served for under three years. This represents a shorter period than typical for the role, which usually extends up to five years. Sources suggest that Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed dissatisfaction following discussions with U.K. regulators last week, contributing to this leadership change.

It is important to recognize that while Gurr’s appointment is currently on an interim basis, Sarah Cardell, the current CEO of the CMA, was also initially appointed in an interim capacity in 2022 before securing the permanent position.

This precedent doesn’t guarantee a similar outcome for Gurr, but it does signal the type of leadership the government seeks for the nation’s antitrust regulator – an organization presently investigating major technology companies for a range of alleged violations.

Alex Haffner, a competition partner at the law firm Fladgate, observes that Gurr’s appointment coincides with the U.K.’s increased emphasis on its “growth agenda.” He further notes that Gurr’s professional history is “unreservedly commercial” in contrast to that of his predecessor.

Beyond this, the appointment prompts consideration of how the CMA might adjust its enforcement of regulations concerning Big Tech across various industries.

“Stakeholders are now evaluating how this new appointment will influence the CMA’s enforcement strategies,” Haffner stated to TechCrunch. “Recent indications suggest the CMA has responded to critiques of past rulings and may be more open to flexibility – as demonstrated by the recent clearance of the Vodafone / Three merger. However, the new chair also takes office as the CMA gains substantial new powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, particularly regarding oversight of Big Tech, potentially leading to more assertive action, while carefully considering how to foster competition and economic growth.”

The Open Cloud Coalition, a lobby group supported by Google and established in October to engage with European legislators, “extended congratulations” to Gurr on his interim chairmanship. Nicky Stewart, a senior advisor to the Open Cloud Coalition, however, urged the regulator to maintain focus on its ongoing investigation into the cloud services market, where Amazon currently holds a dominant position.

“As the CMA’s cloud market investigation reaches a crucial stage, we encourage the regulator to remain steadfast and take decisive steps to establish a fairer, more competitive cloud market that benefits businesses, consumers, and the broader digital economy,” Stewart communicated to TechCrunch. “The cloud sector can only thrive with a level playing field, and, as detailed in our position paper, meaningful intervention is vital for unlocking innovation and investment throughout the industry.”