London, November 20, 2025 — UK CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell used a keynote speech at Chatham House to launch the authority’s three-year strategy, stressing that the CMA’s operational independence remains intact even as it aligns its work with the UK’s wider economic priorities.
Cardell acknowledged ongoing debate about the CMA’s independence after leadership changes earlier in the year but said “there has been no reduction in the operational independence of the CMA.” She emphasised that while the regulator takes certain decisions independently of government—including mergers and Strategic Market Status designations—it must still be informed by the broader policy landscape, particularly given the government’s focus on economic growth and the growing interconnectedness of trade, industrial and competition policy.
Cardell said the regulator must deliver “reality, responsibility and results” by promoting competition and protecting consumers in ways that support growth and improve household prosperity.
Rapid internal transformation
Cardell said the CMA had already implemented more than 75 changes through its 4Ps programme—predictability, proportionality, pace and partnership—delivering faster merger processes, earlier senior engagement with parties and a more structured relationship with businesses and investors.
She highlighted around £200 million in penalties and over £120 million secured through commitments, as well as market work aimed at reducing prices and improving choice for households in sectors including infant formula, veterinary services, fuels and dentistry. The authority also acted on harmful online practices and launched investigations under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.
Five strategic objectives
Cardell said the new strategy maintains the CMA’s core functions but adapts them to the UK’s economic context. Its five objectives are:
- Bolstering effective competition, including enabling pro-competitive collaboration and updating merger assessment tools with a review of efficiencies.
- Strengthening consumer protection, with a focus on lowering household costs and enforcing DMCCA rules against drip pricing and pressure selling.
- Expanding its advisory role to government, including pro-competitive interventions in public procurement and sectors central to industrial strategy.
- Boosting business and investor confidence, embedding the 4Ps across all functions.
- Delivering tangible UK-wide benefits, prioritising markets with the greatest economic impact.
A more accountable decision-making model
Cardell welcomed an upcoming government consultation to streamline the CMA’s merger and markets decision-making structure by shifting final decisions to a board-level subcommittee—mirroring the digital markets model. She said the reform would strengthen accountability while “preserving independence from Ministers.”
The CMA will use new KPIs, stakeholder surveys and an updated impact assessment methodology to measure progress.
Cardell concluded that the authority must remain “purposeful and pragmatic” as it works to drive growth, support innovation and ease pressures on household budgets.
