Doug Gurr Confirmed as Permanent Chair of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority

Doug Gurr, former Amazon UK boss, has been officially appointed as the permanent chair of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), following a year serving in an interim capacity. The appointment, announced in February 2026, comes despite concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding potential conflicts of interest due to his previous role at the tech giant.

Concerns Over Potential Conflicts of Interest

During a hearing before the Business and Trade Committee in February 2026, Gurr faced scrutiny over his ability to impartially regulate a sector he previously held a senior position in. Committee chair Liam Byrne expressed concerns that Gurr’s past at Amazon could create a “conflict of interest” given the CMA’s role in promoting competitive markets and protecting consumers. Liberal Democrat MP Joshua Reynolds suggested Gurr’s former Amazon colleagues might welcome his appointment. Economist Fiona Scott Morton of Yale School of Management told openDemocracy that the move was “very positive” for Big Tech, but less so for everyone else.

Shift in CMA’s Approach

Gurr’s appointment as interim chair in January 2025 coincided with a push from the government for the CMA to adopt a more business-friendly approach. His predecessor had been removed following criticism that he did not sufficiently prioritize growth and business interests. The government aims to encourage private investment by fostering a more predictable regulatory environment. Gurr has emphasized his intention to focus more on consumer protection even as also supporting economic growth.

Government Support and CMA Reform

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle recommended Gurr for the permanent position, stating his confidence in Gurr’s ability to lead the CMA’s three-year strategy to drive economic growth and improve household prosperity. Gurr has already led a strategic review of the CMA’s processes, resulting in public consultations on merger decisions. These proposed measures aim to increase the CMA board’s involvement and potentially streamline the approval process for major deals. According to The Grocer, Gurr’s tenure has already seen the completion of the Greencore-Bakkavor merger.

Concerns Regarding Enforcement and the Digital Markets Act

Despite the government’s support, concerns remain about the CMA’s enforcement activity. MPs questioned whether Gurr would be willing to fully utilize the powers granted by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which came into effect in 2024, allowing the CMA to impose stronger penalties and proactively regulate dominant companies. There were also questions raised about Gurr’s time management, as he continues to serve as Director of the Natural History Museum.

Amazon Web Services Investigation

A key decision facing Gurr involves whether to designate Amazon’s web services subsidiary under the “Strategic Market Status” provisions of the Digital Markets Act. This designation would apply to companies with substantial market power and annual sales exceeding £1 billion in the UK or £25 billion worldwide. An investigation has revealed that Amazon and Microsoft jointly dominate the UK’s cloud services market, potentially leading to higher costs and reduced innovation. Gurr stated he would approach this decision on a “case-by-case basis,” a response that drew further criticism from MPs.

Recruitment Process Questioned

The Business and Trade Committee also raised concerns about the recruitment process, noting that Gurr was the only candidate considered for the permanent position. The committee concluded that Gurr possesses the necessary professional competence and independence, but warned that the limited candidate pool was “not the hallmark of a robust recruitment process.” The Department for Business and Trade defended the process, stating that Gurr had been working closely with CMA leadership to reform the organization.

As of February 2026, the UK government has reaffirmed the CMA’s independence while emphasizing its role in defending consumers, supporting fair competition, and promoting economic growth.