Financial regulator authority member to chair ACCC

Gina Cass-Gottlieb looks set to become the first female chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), to replace Rod Sims after his 10-year-long tenure leading the regulator.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has written to states and territories asking for their support of the appointment, ahead of recommending to the Governor-General that Ms Cass-Gottlieb be named ACCC chair for the next five years, commencing from 21 March.

Ms Cass-Gottlieb has been a senior partner in competition and regulation at law firm Gilbert + Tobin for more than 25 years, having advised on competition matters across Australia and New Zealand.

She was appointed a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s payment systems board in 2013 and a member of the Financial Regulator Assessment Authority (FRAA), the body that regulates ASIC and APRA, in September.

Reflecting on the current chair’s work, Mr Frydenberg commented: “Mr Sims has made an outstanding contribution to competition, consumer and infrastructure policy in his time at the ACCC, helping to advance world leading reforms including most recently with respect to the digital platforms.

“I also acknowledge his wider contribution to public policy during his distinguished public service career which spans more than three decades. I wish him well for the future.”

ASIC also declared a number of senior appointments on Tuesday (14 December), including a new chief financial officer, executive director for operations, chief people officer and regional commissioners across NSW, Western Australia and Victoria. 

[Related: NAB clears competition review for Citi acquisition]