OFT names Barr as new general counsel
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has ended its two-month search for a new general counsel with the internal appointment of Frances Barr, Legal Week can reveal.Barr, a competition specialist and a legal director with the OFT, has worked with the regulator for the last 10 years.
July 24, 2008 at 11:46 AM
2 minute read
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has ended its two-month search for a new general counsel with the internal appointment of Frances Barr, Legal Week can reveal.
Barr (pictured), a competition specialist and a legal director with the OFT, has worked with the regulator for the last 10 years.
The organisation kicked off its hunt for a new legal head following the retirement of Brian McHenry in May, with senior director of policy Ali Nikpay appointed to the position on a temporary basis.
Barr's appointment could come as a surprise to some, as a number of competition specialists had expected the organisation to appoint a high profile private practice partner to the role rather than an internal candidate.
Instead, Barr will inherit a legal team which has recently undergone a major restructuring, with McHenry strengthening the OFT's litigation department and breaking up its standalone legal department so that lawyers were embedded within the various departments of the OFT.
Barr's promotion comes after the OFT hired former Slaughter and May associate Jackie Holland as its head of competition within the advisory, policy international group in May.
Earlier this month the OFT announced that it was set to fine six companies, including supermarket chain Asda and tobacco company Gallaher, a total of £132.3m after the businesses admitted colluding on the pricing of cigarettes.
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