Open Markets Institute and Partner Organizations Express Concern Over Appointment of Former Amazon Executive at UK CMA

“We are worried that the UK Government is losing sight of its commitment to robust competition enforcement and the CMA’s operational independence…The CMA must be trusted by the government and free from political pressure if it is to unlock positive economic outcomes for the whole economy.”  

The Open Markets Institute has signed a letter to the UK government in response to the recent appointment of a former Amazon executive as the new Chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, signed by a broad coalition of challenger and mid-sized tech companies, trade associations, and civil society organizations, voices concerns about the potential implications of this appointment on the CMA’s operational independence and its critical role in fostering a competitive digital economy.  
 
Concerns About Competition and Economic Impact 

The letter states that the CMA’s impartiality is vital for the regulation of dominant digital platforms and promoting a level playing field, warning that the appointment raises concerns about the regulator’s ability to enforce the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act (DMCCA) without bias. 

The coalition is urging the government to: 

• Reaffirm the CMA’s operational independence. 

• Swiftly implement the pro-competition regime for digital markets. 

• Listen to the experiences of UK businesses facing monopolized markets. 

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