Corporate report

Panel members’ biographies

Published 30 November 2023

Professor Andreas Stephan

Andreas Stephan is a Professor of Competition Law at the School of Law and Centre for Competition Policy (CCP) at the University of East Anglia. He was Head of the School of Law between 2017-2022 and was appointed again to the role from October 2023. He has a background in both law and economics and has widely published research on all aspects of cartel enforcement, and more recently antitrust compliance and subsidy control. He is especially well known for his survey work on public attitudes to anticompetitive practices.

Andreas is a UK Non-Governmental Advisor to the International Competition Network (ICN) and has worked within the ICN’s Advocacy Working Group leading a project on ‘Competition Culture’. His other affiliations include membership of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Research Partnership Platform.

Angharad Butler

Angharad Butler is an economist with over 20 years of experience specialising in consumer markets, data analysis and regional economic development. She played a pivotal role in the Data and Insight Programme for the Welsh Government Food and Drink division, where her expertise in data analysis was instrumental in delivering insights on key factors influencing consumer markets and supply chains.

As an experienced economic consultant, Angharad has delivered a wide range of research studies across the UK, including sectoral analysis, labour market reviews, policy advice, evaluations, appraisals, and impact assessments.

Michael Neilson

Mike Neilson has had a varied career in the public service, working in Whitehall, the EU Institutions, and the Scottish Government. Since joining the UK Treasury at the start of his career, he has worked in a range of policy areas, in different institutions, in which the financial, economic, and regulatory dimensions have been vital aspects, seeing issues of trade and market functioning from a range of perspectives.

Mike has played a leading role in some major reforms to Scottish public services, including the Glasgow Housing Stock Transfer, and the creation of Scottish Water and Marine Scotland.

Shane Lynch

Shane has 40 years’ experience in the energy sector in asset management, regulation, finance, and consultancy.  He is a former CEO of the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland with responsibility for the regulation of the electricity, gas, and water industries, including the cross-jurisdictional regulation of the wholesale electricity market in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Shane is also a former Managing Director for the AES Corporation in Northern Ireland with responsibility for the operation and development of power plant assets.  He is presently the Electricity Price Control Commissioner for the Channel Island of Sark, a non-executive member of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and a member of the Advisory Committee for the Northern Ireland Central Investment Fund for Charities.

Stephen Gifford

Stephen is an economist with 30 years of professional experience across the public and private sector. He is currently the Chief Economist of the Faraday Institution, Member of the Regulatory Policy Committee, Non-Executive Director of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Board Member of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre.

Stephen was previously the Chief Economist at Grant Thornton, the Director of Economics at the CBI and has held various senior economist roles at KPMG, Oxford Economics, Civil Aviation Authority, and the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit. He also served as a member of the South East Wales Transport Commission and the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales.

Professor Suzanne Rab

Professor Suzanne Rab is an independent barrister at Serle Court Chambers. Suzanne’s practice has a particular focus on the interface between economic regulation, competition law and consumer law.   She has significant experience of advising on the development, implementation, and application of new and evolving regulatory regimes in line with international best practices, including at times of critical change. Previously she has held the role of partner and head of regulatory practice with a leading US practice and the role of director at PricewaterhouseCoopers.  

Suzanne is special advisor to the Bar Standards Board, an expert panel member of the UK Regulators Network and a non-executive board member of the Legal Aid Agency and the Press Recognition Panel. She is a Professor of Commercial Law and holds the Practice Chair at Brunel University, a law lecturer at Oxford University and a Visiting Professor at Imperial College.

Tim Render

Tim Render is a former senior civil servant and diplomat. He has extensive experience in policy making and delivery as well as regulatory process, especially on economic development, environment and food issues. He has worked in Whitehall, the Devolved Governments and internationally.

Tim’s most recent roles include as Director Environment and Rural Affairs for the Welsh Government, as Director Farming and Food in Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Counsellor Regions and Agriculture in the UK Representation to the EU.