Revolving door at regulator’s office

Wednesday 02 April 2014

The competition watchdog has had four chief executives in just four years, Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean has told the States.

Asked about the departure of Channel Islands Competition Regulatory Authority (CICRA) chief Andrew Riseley, Senator Maclean said that the steady flow of people of through the top job at the organisation was “regrettable”.

Mr Riseley’s last day in office was yesterday – he has been temporarily replaced by Michael Byrne, ahead of a permanent appointment being made in the summer.

Asked by Deputy Roy Le Hérissier about the turnover of staff at the regulator, Senator Maclean described it as disappointing, adding: “It is to be regretted. I am having, and will continue to have, dialogue with the board. The figures, on the face of it, do appear to be unfortunate, but I understand that in two cases there were personal circumstances involved.”

Mr Byrne, who is based in Guernsey, was appointed to the position of deputy director general of the Office of Utility Regulation in December 2007 before that regulator merged with the old Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority to form CICRA. He has extensive experience applying regulation and competition law in the broadcasting, telecommunications, postal and energy sectors in the UK and Channel Islands.

Last year both CICRA and phone company JT were criticised over a legal fight that the Royal Court said should have been dealt with informally. Despite that, has been one of the major States success stories of the last ten years, tackling fuel prices, starting to open up the phone market and exposing the price gaps between Jersey and UK retail costs.