The Competition Authority's chairperson John Fingleton is to leave the organisation to take up a new role as chief executive of Britain's competition watchdog the Office of Fair Trading. His resignation will take effect in the first week of October.
John Fingleton said he very much regretted having to leave the authority, but was proud of what it had achieved over the past five years.
He said he looked forward to completing some important cases - such as those against the beef industry rationalisation agreement and an alleged home heating oil cartel - before his departure. Mr Fingleton has headed the authority since 2000.
Mr Fingleton has been appointed for a five-year term at the OFT. 'I am confident his strong economic background and his experience as head of the Irish Competition Authority will be of great benefit to the OFT,' British Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson said in a statement.
