Press release
CCPC Chairperson appointment
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has appointed Mr Brian McHugh as the new Chairperson of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission with effect from 2 August 2023.
Minister Coveney said:
"I am pleased to appoint Brian as the new Chairperson of the CCPC."
Minister Coveney added:
"Before joining the CCPC, Brian spent 15 years in Northern Ireland’s Utility Regulator, the body responsible for both regulating and protecting the interests of consumers within the gas, electricity, and water utility industries in Northern Ireland. During his time at the Utility Regulator, Brian led the design and implementation of competition to expand the gas network in Northern Ireland."
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary, welcomed Mr McHugh’s appointment and said:
"Brian takes the lead at the CCPC at a time of significant change for the organisation. He will lead in strengthening the CCPC’s work in detecting anti-competitive practices such as bid rigging and price fixing. Such breaches of competition law can result in increased prices and a reduction in quality or innovation, which can affect consumers and other businesses and add to the cost of living.
"The other key area of focus is the implementation of key legislation including domestic and EU legislation relating to the digital economy such as the Digital Services Act; the Consumer Rights Act 2022; and the Pricing Indications Directive. The experience he brings to the CCPC will no doubt be of the upmost value as it embarks on this new phase."
Brian holds a BA in Economics from Trinity College, Dublin, and an MSc in Energy Economics from the University of Surrey. Before his successful appointment as Chairperson, Brian served as a Member of the Commission since 2017 and led on competition enforcement and mergers, and policy research and international.