CMA board meeting minutes: 22 June 2023
Published 11 August 2023
Meeting date: 22 June 2023
Venue: In Edinburgh, and by videoconference
Members present
- Marcus Bokkerink (Chair)
- Kirstin Baker
- Sarah Cardell (CEO)
- Martin Coleman
- Cynthia Dubin
- Amelia Fletcher
- Michael Grenfell
- Murdoch MacLennan
- David Stewart
Advisors present
- Lucy Robbins, Senior Director, People, Capability and Culture
- Chris Prevett, Interim General Counsel
- Mike Walker, Chief Economic Adviser
Apologies
- Erik Wilson (COO)
CMA staff present
- Kate Bridge, Director of Executive Office, Security and Performance
- Sukhinder Lalli, Legal Director, Governance, Compliance and Risk
- Anthony Wright, Director of Communications
- Board Secretary (minutes)
Teams
The meeting was attended by teams from across the CMA, including the Digital Markets Unit; the Pipeline Coordination and Insights team; and Organisational Development team.
1. Introduction
The Chair welcomed the board members to the meeting.
Minutes
The board approved the minutes from the meeting of the board on 17 May 2023, with no changes. The board acknowledged the committee minutes received.
2. Reflections on stakeholder engagement
The board discussed and evaluated the previous day’s meeting and dinner with local stakeholders, noting how beneficial such engagement is, and how much it learned from the discussions.
Major developments in the external environment in which we operate
3. CEO and Chair comments
The board discussed recent external engagement.
Portfolio and Risk Management
4. CEO update
The CEO updated the board on recent developments in the CMA. The board reviewed the corporate risk register and the external guidance tracker.
5. ARAC update
The Chair of ARAC updated the board on its 19 June 2023 meeting, and signalled ARAC’s approval of the annual accounts subject to minor drafting changes and the NAO’s Audit Completion Report.
6. RPPC update
The board received an update on the 12 June Resources, Portfolio and Pipeline meeting and discussed the outcomes and pipeline.
7. Consultation on CMA Prioritisation principles
The board reviewed the draft consultation, suggesting some changes including to the language used. It approved the draft updated Prioritisation Principles for consultation subject to these changes.
People
8. CEO update
The CEO updated the board on recent developments in recruitment and other people matters.
9. Employee Experience Improvement Plan
The board considered the Employee Experience Plan. It noted the plan’s focus on the four areas of the new Employee Value Proposition to further improve the development and working experience for CMA staff. It reinforced the goals of these improvements, to further strengthen the effectiveness of the CMA teams and to attract and retain the best talent. It highlighted the importance of translating these plans into actions and supported the emphasis on learning and development. The board agreed the plan.
Policy and cases
10. CEO update
The CEO updated the board on recent developments in the CMA’s casework and the policy sphere.
11. Panel update
The Chair of the CMA Panel updated the board on recent decisions by Inquiry Groups.
12. DMU update
The board as updated on the passage of the DMCC Bill through parliament and commented on the plans for the development of the DMU, including the production of guidance for businesses and the results of the recent recruitment campaigns.
Business model and operational
13. Property update
The board was updated on and discussed the CMA’s approach to securing a suitable new office location in Cardiff in line with the Property Transformation and Places for Growth Programme. It endorsed the proposed property and noted that the CMA’s new Darlington office will open on 11 July 2023.
14. AOB
For approval:
- CMA Annual Report and Accounts 2022 to 2023
- CMA Positive Impact Assessment 2022 to 2023
The board considered and approved both the CMA Annual Report and Accounts 2022 to 2023 and the CMA Positive Impact Assessment 2022 to 2023.
The Chair reviewed the meeting and thanked the board.