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Sarah Cardell
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Sarah Cardell

Chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, in post since December 2022.

Sarah Cardell has run the Competition and Markets Authority's day-to-day operations as chief executive since December 2022. She signed off the regulator's 8 September findings on whether the £400bn public procurement system favours established suppliers.

Last refreshed: 22 September 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for Sarah Cardell

#15 8 Sept

Fronted the CMA's procurement report as chief executive

UK Startups and Innovation: CMA asks who £400bn procurement buys
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Background

Sarah Cardell became chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on 19 December 2022, having served six months as interim chief executive from July 2022. A competition lawyer, she spent her earlier career advising on merger and antitrust cases.

Cardell joined the CMA as general counsel in September 2013 and rose to lead its Legal Service, its Policy and International directorates, and its Digital Markets Unit. She was previously a legal partner in Ofgem's Markets Division and, before that, a partner in Slaughter and May's competition group.

As chief executive Cardell runs the CMA's daily enforcement and operations, separate from chair Doug Gurr's board-level role. She signed the CMA's 8 September 2026 report on Britain's roughly £400bn public procurement system, translating its finding that bidding rules favour incumbent suppliers into her responsibility for what the regulator does next.

Common Questions
Who is Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA?
Sarah Cardell is chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, appointed to the permanent role on 19 December 2022 after serving as interim chief executive from July 2022.Source: GOV.UK
What did the CMA say about public procurement in September 2026?
The CMA, fronted by chief executive Sarah Cardell and chair Doug Gurr, published 'Public procurement in the national interest' on 8 September 2026, questioning whether the UK's roughly £400bn public procurement system reaches high-growth, innovative firms.Source: event
Who chairs the Competition and Markets Authority alongside Sarah Cardell?
Doug Gurr chairs the CMA. He was appointed to the permanent role in February 2026 after a year as interim chair, having previously led Amazon UK and served as director of the Natural History Museum.Source: GOV.UK
Who is the chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority?
Sarah Cardell, in post since 19 December 2022. A competition lawyer, she joined the CMA as general counsel in 2013 and previously worked at Ofgem and Slaughter and May.Source: event
What is the difference between the CMA chair and chief executive?
Doug Gurr chairs the CMA's board; Sarah Cardell, as chief executive, runs its day-to-day operations and enforcement work. Both fronted the CMA's September 2026 procurement report together.Source: event
When was Sarah Cardell appointed chief executive of the CMA?
She was appointed on 19 December 2022, after six months as interim chief executive from July 2022, having joined the CMA as general counsel in 2013.
Source Material
Sarah Cardell - GOV.UK