About

I am an experienced competition economist and independent consultant, specialising in merger control and market inquiries conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

I help clients:

  • analyse the competition effects of a merger in progress or a deal they are considering
  • pinpoint the best economic analysis and evidence to support a case
  • understand the UK merger control  or market inquiry process and how best to engage with it
  • assess the chances of regulatory intervention such as remedies or prohibition
  • focus their case and avoid common pitfalls by drawing on best practice from past mergers or market investigations
  • strengthen their case through critical challenge, by playing ‘Devil’s Advocate’ or by providing a second opinion
  • prepare and rehearse for key case meetings
  • train and coach their staff in competition analysis and case-making

I work with clients in a number of different ways, including by providing very targeted executive briefings and providing an expert ‘fresh pair of eyes’ on draft submissions.

My clients include:

  • merging parties
  • customers of, or competitors to, merging parties
  • companies considering alternative merger options
  • investors
  • companies involved in CMA market investigations
  • competition authorities across Europe and beyond

I frequently work alongside other leading professional advisers.

Previously I was Head of Merger Economics at the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and, before that, a Director at PwC.

Over the past 15 years I have advised on more than 500 merger cases argued in front of the competition authorities, as well market investigations in high profile sectors.

At the OFT I was closely involved in the development of the UK’s merger guidelines, retail merger guidelines and the approach to assessing mergers in ‘small’ markets.

I have trained competition agencies across the world through my specialist course in evidence-gathering skills.

Please click on the links below for further details of my services and experience regarding:

My Merger Spotlight page contains links to some of the best recent writing on mergers