The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regulator has announced it has selected to move its new digital hub to Manchester in a bid to increase its presence outside of London.
Manchester is set to be home of the new Digital Markets unit (DMU), which has been established to oversee a new regulatory regime for digital firms.
The CMA is seeking suitable accommodation for around 50 employees to be based in Manchester initially, with the ambition for the new digital hub to comprise more than 200 staff by 2025.
In a statement, the watchdog said Manchester has been selected as it “offers a diverse and highly-skilled labour market” and is “one of the top locations for digital”.
The DMU aims to promote greater competition and innovation in a bid to protect consumers and businesses from unfair practices.
It will form a digital hub alongside the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF).
CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli said: “Last year I pledged that the CMA would get closer to the needs of people right across the UK. Since then, we have taken action on issues from refunds on package holidays to tackling excessive pricing on key drugs. Now we are going a step further and bringing our own offices and staff closer to more of the people we serve.
“Manchester and Darlington will be ideal locations for our teams whether we’re ensuring fairness in the tech sector or doing vital research to inform future work.
“There are bright and talented people everywhere and we want to do our part to give them the opportunities they deserve.”
