Ex-Amazon chief Doug Gurr named as UK's permanent antitrust chair

Mr Gurr will continue work with the CMA board to set its overall strategic direction

Former Amazon executive Doug Gurr has been appointed as the permanent chair of the UK's Competition and Markets Authority, which is considering intervention in markets dominated by Big Tech.

The government has appointed former Amazon executive Doug Gurr as the permanent chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Business Secretary Peter Kyle confirmed on Monday that Mr Gurr is the preferred candidate to lead the watchdog for the next five years, subject to a parliamentary hearing. Mr Gurr has served as interim chair since 2025, following the departure of Marcus Bokkerink, who had led the CMA since 2022.

His appointment comes at a critical time as the government urges regulators to place a stronger emphasis on supporting economic growth.

Over the past year, Mr Gurr has worked alongside the CMA's chief executive, Sarah Cardell, on what the government described as a programme of transformation at the watchdog.

The Business Secretary praised Mr Gurr's performance during his interim tenure, stating he had successfully steered the CMA toward Prime Minister Keir Starmer's vision of a more business-friendly regulatory environment.

"The CMA is playing a key role in delivering the government's pro-growth agenda, ensuring the UK is a place where businesses can grow and invest with confidence," Mr Kyle said.

"I look forward to Doug leading the delivery of the CMA's three-year strategy to drive economic growth and improve household prosperity."

As chair, Mr Gurr will work with the CMA board to set its overall strategic direction, provide leadership across the organisation, and represent the regulator to ministers, Parliament, businesses and the public.

Responding to his nomination, Mr Gurr said it would be a "privilege" to continue the work.

"The government have been clear in their commitment to delivering economic growth and improving household prosperity.

"I have enjoyed my time at the CMA and can see a clear contribution we can make here through promoting competition and protecting consumers. It would be both a pleasure and a privilege to continue this important work."

The permanent appointment is likely to draw scrutiny from competition advocates due to Mr Gurr's extensive history with Amazon, a company frequently in the CMA's crosshairs. Mr Gurr spent nearly a decade at the retail giant, serving as China country manager before taking the helm of Amazon UK between 2016 and 2020.

The CMA is currently overseeing significant interventions in markets where Amazon is a dominant player.

Last year, the CMA found that Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft used their market power in ways that could harm UK customers. A 21-month probe concluded that competition in the UK cloud and retail sectors was "not working as well as it could."

The regulator has proposed designating both firms with "Strategic Market Status" (SMS), granting the CMA powers to impose targeted conduct requirements.

The permanent appointment coincides with a broader shake-up of UK competition law.

In January 2026, the Department for Business and Trade launched a consultation on further reforms to strengthen the UK's competition regime. Proposals include streamlining review times for cases, providing greater certainty on when mergers will face investigation, and enhancing consumer protection powers.