New Chairman of competition watchdog appointed

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Michael O'Higgins is to head up the competition watchdog in Jersey, with his appointment in Guernsey to follow in September.

Politicians agreed the move late yesterday afternoon, after a lengthy debate in the States, with many members arguing the proposal had been made too late, just a few days before the sitting, and they hadn't had time to properly consider it.

St Helier Deputy Judy Martin summed up their view when she said: "This is not the first time we have had a gun held to our head....ministers have got away with it." Both the Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst, and the Assistant Minister responsible for competition, Senator Philip Ozouf, apologised for the late notice, but argued that it was unavoidable, after a previous preferred candidate pulled out of the process for personal reasons. 

But in the end, States Members agreed that the appointment should go ahead (30 votes to eight), and then supported Mr O'Higgins taking up the Chairman's position of the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (33 votes to one).

The appointment follows a joint Jersey-Guernsey recruitment process, and will discussed by States members in Guernsey after the summer break.

Following queries from States Members, Senator Ozouf clarified that if Guernsey politicians decided not to appoint Mr O'Higgins then he would also step down from his new Jersey role as it was essential for the Island's regulatory authorities (which together make up CICRA) to have the same Chairman.

Mr O’Higgins will follow on from Mark Boleat.

Senator Ozouf said: “Mr Mark Boleat should be recognised for the excellent work he has done over the six years he has led the Authority. Mr Boleat was instrumental in bringing the GCRA and the JCRA together into the combined Channel Islands Competition Regulatory Authorities. As Professor Sir John Vickers, who acted as an adviser to the Review of our competition and regulatory framework said: ‘In small-island economies, such as Jersey, it is just as important that markets work well as it is in larger economies. But in smaller jurisdictions competition policy, and regulation, where competition is not possible, faces particular challenges. Conducting competition and regulatory policy well is hard, but the economic benefits can be substantial’.”