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The annunciation arrive as the U.K. seeks to place itself as a pro - growth , pro - tech nation by trend red tapeand bureaucracy , withartificial intelligence activity ( AI ) taking centerfield stage . The area is also nearing the end of along investigationinto the domestic cloud service market that had Amazon firmly in the CMA ’s crosshairs .
In itsannouncementon Tuesday , the government leaned into Gurr ’s past at Amazon as a agency to “ boost maturation and corroborate the economy , ” observe that he will “ fetch a riches of experience ” from his study in the engineering sector .
“ This Government has a clear Plan for Change — to boost growth for clientele and biotic community across the U.K.,”Jonathan Reynolds , the U.K. ’s writing table of state for business concern and business deal , said in a statement . “ As we ’ve lay out , we need to see regulators including the CMA pressurise the saving with pro - business determination that will drive successfulness and growth , putting more money in masses ’s pockets . ”
The Big Tech factor
Gurr joined Amazon ’s U.K. part in 2011 , initially as VP of its “ hardlines ” naval division , which focalise on products such as horticulture and toys . He transitioned into the theatrical role of country manager for Amazon ’s China line in 2014 , before moving back to channelise up U.K. operationsin 2016 . Gurr go out Amazonin 2020to become the director of the Natural History Museum .
Outgoing chairperson Marcus Bokkerink , who has more of a consulting than commercial background , moderate his Wiley Post for less than three year , a relatively short incumbency as the status typically lasts up to five years . However , reportsindicatethat premier Rachel Reeves was underwhelmed following a meeting with various U.K. regulator last workweek , move a changing of the guard .
It ’s worth noting that although Gurr ’s appointment is on an interim basis , the CMA ’s chief executive officer , Sarah Cardell , was also initially appointed as interim CEO back in 2022 before she prompt into the role permanently .
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That ’s not to say this is what will materialize with Gurr , but it gives a cleared indication about the type of person the political science wants to see chairman the nation ’s antitrust governor — a bodycurrently look into Big Tech firmsfor all way of alleged contraventions .
Alex Haffner , competition better half at law business firm Fladgate , says it ’s no coincidence that Gurr ’s appointment has come at a time when the U.K. is “ banging the drum for its growth agenda . ” He also highlighted that Gurr ’s background is “ shamelessly commercial ” compared to his precursor .
Over and above that , however , this appointment raises question about how the CMA might approach its enforcement of rule around Big Tech across vertical .
“ What stakeholders will now be assessing is how the young assignment read into the CMA ’s advance to enforcement , ” Haffner said in a statement to TechCrunch . “ Recent signaling are that it has involve regard of critique of previous decisions and is perhaps more uncoerced to be flexible — the recentVodafone / Three clearance decisionbeing a casing in point . However , the fresh chair also assumes the role at a clip when the CMA has taken on significant new baron under theDigital Markets , Competition and Consumers Act , particularly in relation to its oversight of Big Tech , mean the CMA will in all likelihood become more activist , albeit giving considerable attention as to how to enforce in a means which best stimulates competition and therefore economic outgrowth . ”
TheOpen Cloud Coalition , a Google - backed lobby grouplaunched back in Octoberto curry party favour with European lawmakers , “ congratulated ” Gurr on his appointment as interim chair . However , Nicky Stewart , senior adviser to the Open Cloud Coalition , urged the governor not to lose sight of its ongoing investigation into the cloud services market , which weigh Amazon as the runaway market loss leader .
“ As the CMA ’s cloud market investigation enters a critical phase , we advocate the regulator to stay the grade and take critical activity to make a fairer , more free-enterprise cloud market that benefit businesses , consumers , and the wide digital economy , ” Stewart said in a statement issued to TechCrunch . “ The swarm industry can only flourish when there is a level playing field , and as outlined in our position theme , meaningful treatment is essential to unlock excogitation and investiture across the sphere . ”
