Chair of Competition Commission announced
Mr Witcomb will be the Chair during the Government’s consultation on its proposals to merge the CC with the competition functions of the Office…
Mr Witcomb will be the Chair during the Government’s consultation on its proposals to merge the CC with the competition functions of the Office for Fair Trading (OFT). This consultation forms part of the Government’s plan to stimulate growth by allowing the market to be dynamic and competitive, while strengthening and streamlining the competition regime.
He has been a member of the Competition Commission Board since 2009 and a Deputy Chair since January 2011
Vince Cable said:
“I am delighted that Roger has agreed to Chair the Competition Commission through this time of uncertainty. I am confident that Roger’s experience will mean the organisation continues to maintain its high standards as we consult on possible changes to the Competition Regime.”
Mr Witcomb said:
“Peter Freeman has done a superb job as Chairman and I am honoured to be taking over from him at a time of such great change for the Commission. The Government’s intention to reform the UK competition regime offers a real opportunity to make an excellent regime even better. But, exciting though that is, we shall not be distracted from our core duty to carry out high quality, independent and transparent investigations.”
Notes to editors:
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Mr Witcomb’s appointment as Chair will be full-time and will be from 7 May 2011 until 6 May 2013. From the time of his appointment, Mr Witcomb’s remuneration will be £142,500.
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Mr Witcomb is currently Chair of Governors of the University of Winchester, a non-executive director of Infraco and of Andrews & Partners. He will resign from these on taking up the post of Chairman. He was a non-executive director of Anglian Water from 2002 to 2010 and Finance Director of National Power from 1996 to 2000, having previously been at BP and Cambridge University, where he taught economics.
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All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Mr Witcomb has not undertaken any political activity within the last five years. He does not hold any other public appointments.
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All members of the Competition Commission are subject to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, which disqualifies holders of scheduled public offices from membership of the House of Commons.
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The appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice.
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The Competition Commission is an independent public body established by the Competition Act 1998. It replaced the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on 1 April 1999.
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The Commission conducts in-depth inquiries into mergers, markets and the regulation of the major regulated industries. Each inquiry is undertaken in response to a reference made to it by another competition authority, usually the Office of Fair Trading, or regulators under sector-specific legislative provisions relating to regulated industries.
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For more information on this appointment contact the Competition Commission on 020 7271 0242 or press@cc.gsi.gov.uk
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BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Notes to Editors
Contact Information
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Email NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
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