The interim appointment of a former Amazon UK boss at the helm of the Competition and Markets Authority has been slammed by workers’ union GMB after the government ousted his predecessor.
Marcus Bokkerink had only served as chair of the anti-trust regulator since 2022 despite the position carrying a five-year term.
He resigned from the position following meetings between the CMA and other regulators with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The government, which has asked them to refocus on growth rather than red tape, is reported to be ‘underwhelmed’ by the CMA’s commitment to the plan.
Doug Gurr, currently the director of the Natural History Museum, will lead the CMA on an interim basis – a decision which prompted a furious reaction from the GMB as he led Amazon’s UK operations for nine years. Gurr is also a former president of Amazon China.
“The appointment of a former Amazon man to chair a financial body intended to combat unfair market monopolies is a slap in the face to workers,” said Andy Prendergast, GMB national secretary.
“We urge ministers to think again – Amazon repeatedly and brazenly flouts workers’ rights, and their market dominance has put a chokehold on our high streets.”
The CMA eventually approved a £16.5bn merger between Vodafone and Three late last year after delaying it for months over anti-competition concerns.
It also came under fire from Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith in 2023 over its blocking of a takeover at videogames giant Activision Blizzard. After the $69bn deal went through, Smith changed tack and said the CMA had been “tough and fair”.
Bokkerink, a former senior partner at Boston Consulting, said there was a danger of anti-trust regulators becoming “vulnerable to short-term expediency or vested interests” following his ousting.
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, thanked him for his “leadership and support”.
“He has tirelessly championed consumers, competition and a level playing field for business, as well as being steadfastly committed to openness and stakeholder engagement across the UK,” she added.
“The CMA has a critical role to play supporting the government’s growth mission. I welcome the appointment of Doug Gurr as the CMA’s new interim chair and look forward to working closely with him as we drive growth, opportunity and prosperity for the UK.”
Gurr said: “I am honoured to be asked to chair the CMA at this crucial time. 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.
“As set out in the Industrial Strategy Green Paper, the government will shortly be consulting on a new growth-focused strategic steer to the CMA.
“The Prime Minister set out in his speech at the International Investment Summit, this government will make sure that every regulator in the UK focuses on growth.”