Odgers to take over as MMC chairman
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.GRAEME ODGERS, chief executive of the construction group Alfred McAlpine and a former managing director of BT, is to take over as chairman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission from Sir Sydney Lipworth next April.
His selection was influenced heavily by Michael Heseltine, President of the Board of Trade, who vetoed the appointment of another lawyer to the sensitive post.
Mr Odgers, aged 58, an industrialist with wide experience of the public and private sectors, will be the first non-lawyer to chair the MMC. He was headhunted by Tyack Accord from a list of more than 100 candidates.
Mr Heseltine is understood to have been keen to recruit a businessman with a good grasp of commerce. One source said: 'He was after someone who knows industry well and can deliver, not a dry legal eagle.'
During Sir Sydney's five-year tenure, the MMC undertook several high-profile investigations. It cleared the petrol companies and car retailers of anti-competitive practices, but the brewing industry is still coming to terms with the MMC's controversial report on the tied system.
In accepting the four-year appointment, Mr Odgers is making a considerable financial sacrifice. He will be swapping a pounds 300,000- plus job at McAlpine for a salary of pounds 87,620.
South African-born Mr Odgers spent three years at the Department of Trade and Industry, first as an industrial adviser and then as head of its industrial development unit.
Following spells at GEC and Tarmac he joined BT in 1984 but left in 1990 after what appeared to be a clash of styles with its chairman, Iain Vallance.
Married with three children, Mr Odgers has been chief executive of McAlpine for two-and-a-half years.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments