Simon Priddis, the first lawyer to become Director of Mergers at the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), has created a new post of policy adviser for the whole of the mergers branch
The troubleshooting role has a huge remit that includes promoting transparency at the OFT and considering a faster timetable for merger applications.
Priddis is one of the most powerful regulators in merger control, reporting to Director of Competition Enforcement Margaret Bloom and ultimately the Director General of Fair Trading John Vickers.
The policy adviser, who reports directly to Priddis, is understood to be a former case officer and civil servant at the OFT, but her name has not yet been publicly announced.
The policy adviser will have a key role in implementing the provisions of the Enterprise Bill. Priddis said she will look at “how we develop internal policies, both substantive and procedural.”
