First female to chair the ACCC starts new role

Ms Cass-Gottlieb has more than 25 years of experience across complex competition matters in Australia and New Zealand as member of the Reserve Bank of Australia and the financial regulator authority.

Welcoming the appointment, ACCC chief executive officer Scott Gregson said Ms Cass-Gottlieb was “exceptionally well qualified” and that her broad experience across many industries will be an “asset to the agency’s work”.

“We look forward to a smooth transition given Gina’s familiarity with our work and people, as well as the considered handover provided by Rod.”

Stepping into the new role as first female chair of the ACCC, since it was established as an independent authority in 1995, Ms Cass-Gottlieb said she was “ready for the responsibility” that comes with leading the ACCC.

“This work provides important benefits to Australians,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

“The ACCC is a world-leading regulator with a high performing, capable and diverse team that is committed to the safety, interests and welfare of consumers and the maintenance of effective competition across the Australian economy.

“I would like to thank my predecessor, Rod Sims, who has made an enormous contribution to the ACCC and who has left the organisation in very good shape.”

Rod Sims started as ACCC chair in August 2011 and, over his tenure, successfully pursued much larger penalties for competition and consumer law breaches and undertook leading-edge digital platform reports and regulation.

“It has been an honour to be the chair of the ACCC for the last 11 years and I wish Gina all the best in her new role. I hope she will find the job as rewarding as I did,” Mr Sims said.

“I would also like to thank the ACCC staff for their hard work and dedication. I’ll miss working with such a committed group of people, but I know they will provide strong support to Gina and continue their excellent work.”

[Related: Financial regulator authority member to chair ACCC]