Recent changes to the Commission’s Competition Branch should position it to work more effectively says Competition Branch General Manager Kate Morrison.
The review looked specifically at how the branch is structured to perform one of the Commission’s core activities – investigations (including adjudications) under the Commerce, Fair Trading and Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Acts.
The partial restructure has created a new team to lead investigations with a Head of Investigations (Ritchie Hutton) supported by three managers – a Consumer Manager (Stuart Wallace), a Competition Manager (yet to be filled) and an Intelligence and Screening Manager (Rachael Horton). Staff across the Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch offices will work in teams on investigations prioritised by the Head of Investigations.
“The structure will allow us to have better systems and processes in place to ensure we have a sound understanding of where there are market problems and how our interventions can make a difference,” said Ms Morrison.
As part of the changes, a new Competition Branch leadership team has been created representing the four critical functions within the branch – investigations, advocacy and development, legal and economics.
Ms Morrison said that this gave the branch a senior group of experts who could lead, problem solve and prioritise the work the branch was doing and the direction it was taking.
“We want the Commission to be producing world-class decisions and guidance and really using our connections with other organisations and agencies. And we want to lead the way when it comes to our approach to compliance – when and how to intervene is central to our effectiveness,” said Ms Morrison.
“Ultimately, we want to be the best competition branch we can be and this new structure will help enable this.”
The Competition Branch plans to move to the new structure in late June.
Ritchie Hutton – Head of Investigations
Ritchie began working at the Commission in 2000, and was made a manager of the then Market Behaviour Group in 2005. In 2011 he became Investigations Manager with oversight of Competition Branch investigations, in addition to his role as Manager of the Unilateral Conduct and Cartel teams. Ritchie has long contributed to the strategic leadership of the wider Competition Branch and Commission. Prior to working at the Commission, he was a solicitor and consultant and has an LLB from the University of Canterbury.
Stuart Wallace – Consumer Manager
Stuart joined the Commission in 1987, and has led the Christchurch team since 1988, overseeing Fair Trading Act investigations. In recent years, Stuart has been responsible for introducing a programme of advocacy and education in the telecommunications sector to improve compliance with the Fair Trading Act. In addition to his ordinary duties, he managed the shift of the Christchurch team from their office that were condemned following the February earthquake, into temporary premises and then to their current Woolston offices. Prior to working at the Commission Stuart worked in local government and as a parliamentary researcher. He has a Masters majoring in Political Science from Canterbury University.
Rachael Horton – Intelligence and Screening Manager
Rachael comes to this new role from the Department of Internal Affairs where she was the Compliance Manager, Charity Services. Prior to this role Rachael was the Intelligence Manager, Policy, Regulatory and Ethnic Affairs Branch at Internal Affairs. She has also been a Constable, and later an Intelligence Analyst with the New Zealand Police. Rachael has demonstrated experience and success in leading teams, as well as expertise in investigative and intelligence work. She holds a Masters of Public Management (with merit) from Victoria University.
Competition Branch structure – leadership teams
