About the Department
The CMA is an independent non-ministerial UK Government department and is the UK’s principal competition and consumer protection authority.
The CMA supports people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. People and businesses alike are grappling with a growing number of challenges – not least, the rising cost-of-living and cost of doing business; a sustained technology revolution and disruptions of business models that this brings; and the accelerating deterioration of our environment. Each of these challenges makes the imperatives of open, competitive markets and playing by the rules are more vital than ever.
The Role
The CMA supports people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. People and businesses alike are grappling with a growing number of challenges – not least, the rising cost-of-living and cost of doing business; a sustained technology revolution and disruptions of business models that this brings; and the accelerating deterioration of our environment. Each of these challenges makes the imperatives of open, competitive markets and playing by the rules are more vital than ever.
The CMA Panel:
- Members of the CMA Panel are tasked with running merger and market inquiries that have been referred for a thorough (Phase 2) investigation. Panel Members also make decisions on regulatory appeals on price controls or terms of licences.
- Groups are led by an Inquiry Chair and assisted in conducting their investigations by CMA staff.
- Once appointed, assignments to cases are based on Panel Member skills, experience, and availability. Each case will generally include an economist, a lawyer, and a member with business / accountancy / public policy skills.
- Panel Members may be asked to assist with internal CMA governance and policy committees or serve on Case Decision Groups (CDGs) for Competition Act 1998 antitrust and cartel enforcement cases. CDGs are the decision-takers (independent of the investigation team) on such cases and decide whether to issue an infringement decision and what the fine should be. Panel Members may also be selected to take on the role of an Inquiry Chair. Panel Members must make evidence-based and fair decisions backed up by well-argued reports.
- Panels are independent of the CMA Board when making decisions.
- In reaching decisions on competition issues in each inquiry, Panel Members must work collaboratively with other Panel Members and staff to: assess relevant evidence, both oral and written, from interested parties; contribute to the group’s detailed discussion of the issues; use their skills and experience to analyse complex commercial, economic and financial information; and work collaboratively and use sound judgment to help the group reach fair decisions, where possible by consensus.
- In performing their functions, Panel Members must maintain the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and objectivity at all times.
- Panel Members will be asked to consider the performance objectives of the CMA and help ensure the CMA makes proper, economical, effective, and efficient use of its resources.
The CMA Board:
The Board is the governing body of the CMA. It establishes the overall strategic direction of the CMA within the policy framework laid down by Parliament. NEDs make up?the majority of?the Board and, together with the non-executive Chair, bring appropriate challenge to the decisions made by the executive in running the organisation.
The Board:
- Ensures that the CMA fulfils its statutory duties and functions and that the principles of good corporate governance are observed.
- Establishes the overall strategic direction of the CMA within the policy framework laid down under the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, setting organisational priorities including through the annual plan process.
- Scrutinises CMA’s performance in meeting its goals, including through annual performance and concurrency reports; Supports and constructively challenges the executive team; Has regard to any opinions and reports of the CMA Accounting Officer, ensures that the CMA maintains a sound system of financial control and makes appropriate use of public funds.
- Makes decisions on whether to publish market study notices and to refer a market for a more detailed investigation (i.e., “Phase 2 investigation”); Develops rules of procedure for merger reference groups, market reference?groups, and special reference groups.
- Fosters productive relationships with key stakeholders, making the case for sound competition and consumer protection practices; Ensures policies are in place to manage risks to the CMA’s operations and the achievement of its objectives; and
- Supports the CMA’s strong commitment to respect, equality of opportunity, diversity of skills and experience and public service values.
We welcome applications for the Panel Member NED roles from candidates with a diverse and varied range of skills and experience.?Direct experience of competition or consumer enforcement is not required: although you should be prepared to learn, including through the training that will be provided. We encourage applications from individuals with any relevant experience and background including, but not limited to, competition, consumer, the voluntary sector, regulation, digital, retail, or other environments.??????? We are looking for industry leaders who meet the following criteria:
- A proven leader in a consumer, business and/or technology-driven environment.
- An understanding of the role the CMA has in delivering good outcomes for consumers, businesses, and the UK economy, and of how businesses interact with the CMA.
- Demonstrable experience of developing strategy and providing strategic direction.
- The ability to challenge constructively, scrutinising advice and information and maintaining independence of thought.
- An in-depth understanding of the importance of legal and regulatory compliance, and sound operational controls.
- Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
- Proven experience of communicating and influencing, including effective collaboration with others at a senior level.
In addition, for the Panel Member role:
- Demonstrable experience of offering direction on the analysis of issues, and to probe the detail of the matter at hand.
- Proven experience of absorbing and utilising large quantities of detailed information and to assess and analyse complex economic, regulatory, and legal arguments from a competition perspective.
- Well-developed team-working and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with others to explore issues, with the aim of reaching collective agreement.
- An ability to work to tight timescales in considering evidence, offering consistency and logical analysis to reach fair judgments based on sound reasoning.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience at board level in executive or non-executive leadership roles in the private, public or third sector.
- Recent experience in these areas would be welcome: business and finance, digital and technology sectors, consumer, competition and consumer policy and enforcement, public or regulatory policy and working with the devolved administrations.
To download the full candidate information pack and apply, please visit www.odgers.com/88874
Closing date 23:55 on Tuesday 30 May 2023