Appointment of former Amazon boss to UK competition watchdog sparks backlash

LONDON

The UK government’s decision to appoint a former Amazon executive to lead the country’s competition watchdog has been met with fierce criticism from trade unions, who have called it a “slap in the face to workers.”

Doug Gurr, a former UK country manager and president of Amazon China, has been named interim chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for up to 18 months, replacing Marcus Bokkerink, who stepped down following a government push for regulators to prioritize economic growth.

The appointment has raised concerns over the CMA’s independence, particularly as it embarks on a series of investigations into major technology firms under a new digital markets competition regime.

The first inquiry is targeting Google, with further probes expected into other dominant firms in the sector.

Business Minister Justin Madders defended the move in Parliament on Wednesday, rejecting accusations that the government was “in the pocket of big tech.”

He insisted that the CMA would remain operationally independent. “Competition is vital for driving investment and growth,” he added.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also justified Gurr’s appointment, saying he expects the CMA to help “supercharge the economy with pro-business decisions that will drive prosperity and growth.”

However, critics argue that placing a former Amazon executive in charge of the CMA undermines the regulator’s ability to hold tech giants accountable.

- Union sound alarm

Andy Prendergast, national secretary of the GMB union, condemned the decision, saying it puts workers’ rights at risk. “Gurr’s appointment to a body intended to combat unfair market monopolies is a slap in the face to workers,” he said.

“We urge ministers to think again. Amazon repeatedly and brazenly flout workers’ rights, and their market dominance has put a chokehold on our high streets.”

With Gurr at the helm, the CMA is expected to scrutinize industry heavyweights like Google, Meta, and Amazon itself—raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.

As the government seeks to balance pro-business policies with regulatory enforcement, Gurr’s leadership of the CMA will be closely watched to see whether the watchdog remains independent or tilts in favor of major tech corporations.