The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) chair Marcus Bokkerink has stepped down, mere days after the regulatory body met with the chancellor at Downing Street.

Bokkerink’s resignation from the CMA follows two years as its chairman – less than half the typical five-year tenure – and is to be succeeded by former Amazon UK boss Doug Gurr, who will act as interim chair until a permanent replacement is found.

Currently, the director of the National History Museum, Gurr spent nine years at the US-based tech conglomerate, acting as president of Amazon China from 2014 to 2016, before departing the business in 2020.

Prior to this role, he also served as a director on the board of the supermarket chain, Asda, then owned by Walmart.

Gurr said: “I am honoured to be asked to Chair the CMA at this crucial time. I look forward to working with the strong leadership team to help deliver business investment and economic growth in a framework of effective competition and consumer protection.”

In recent months, the CMA has greenlighted important mergers and acquisitions in the grocery sector, including Danish brewer Carlsberg’s takeover of soft drinks producer Britvic, and launched reports into supermarket prices for products, such as baby formula.

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However, the exit of its chairman follows recent turbulence for the regulatory body.

One government source told The Guardian it was not a coincidence that Bokkerink’s resignation followed swiftly in the wake of the CMA being summoned to a meeting with chancellor Rachel Reeves and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds earlier this week.

It is understood that the chairman’s departure could aim to send a ‘pro-growth’ message by Labour to international businesses, ahead of Reeves and Reynolds meeting with firms at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Reynolds said: “I’m pleased to welcome Doug as interim Chair who will oversee the CMA while we recruit for a permanent position, supporting the leadership of CEO Sarah Cardell.

“This government has a clear Plan for Change – to boost growth for businesses and communities across the UK. As we’ve set out, we want to see regulators including the CMA supercharging the economy with pro-business decisions that will drive prosperity and growth, putting more money in people’s pockets”

The CMA senior shake-up follows the government’s pressure for UK watchdog’s to do more to prioritise economic growth, following public criticism by prime minister Keir Starmer on past decisions, including the blocking of key international mergers, such as Activision Blizzard by US tech firm Microsoft.

The CMA is a UK watchdog designed to act in the best interest of consumers, by preventing businesses from creating unfair prices or blocking competition.