Mary Davies - Project Work
Competition
Regularly advises clients on mergers and competition investigations in particular from the viewpoint of UK competition authorities’ approach to market assessment. Drawing on experience acquired whilst working for Office of Fair Trading (1999-2014) and Competition and Market’s Approach (CMA) (2014-2015) undertaking market analysis and assessments of anti-competitive conduct across a broad range of sectors including: construction, housing, transport, automotive, retail, health, banking, insurance, education and post.
Provided competition and markets expert input to ICF study for Department for Education examining the L4-5 qualification and provider market (March 2018-July 2018) and online learning and artificial intelligence education market (August 2018-December 2018). Advised on the framework for assessment and market definition.
Acted as a competition advocate for the Competition and Market’s Authority (CMA) (2014-2015) advising central government departments on competition issues in public markets. Provided analysis of policy options and advice on how policy design can impact on markets and consumers and contributed to guidelines on how to undertake impact assessments published by the CMA in September 2015.
Link to article
Developed and drafted the content of an e learning module (2015) on bid-rigging in the public sector hosted by the Crown Commercial Service drawing on experience working on cartel cases for OFT's cartel division (2006-2008).
Link to article
Commissioned and quality assured a consumer survey of leaseholders undertaken by Ipsos MORI for CMA’s market study into the residential property management sector (December 2014).
Link to article
Planned and led a complex negotiation involving leading competition authorities within the International Competition Network to agree a recommended practice in the investigation of alleged predatory pricing practices published in March 2014.
Link to article
Regulation
Contributed to the development of the regulatory regime for single source non-competed defence contracts (September 2016-January 2021) as non-executive member of the Board of Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO). The SSRO is an organisation tasked with ensuring the Ministry of Defence gets value for money in non competed defence contracts
Led and provided strategic direction within a regulated sector as Head of Regulatory Economics (October 2015-November 2016) at the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). Worked closely with team of ten economists to develop policies and win consensus on ways forward in a review of Network Rail’s track access charges for the 2018 periodic review. This was a complex, technical and often contentious area of regulation and required extensive consultation within the rail sector as well as discussions with internal stakeholders including at board level to agree proposals to be set out in the consultation document (issued December 2016).
Link to article
Business Case Assessment
Prepared business cases for strategically sensitive research using cost benefit analysis at the Rail Safety and Standard Board (RSSB) (March 2017-September 2017). Worked on research specifications for projects to develop guidance on accessibility for GB rail for those with disabilities or reduced mobility, measuring air quality in enclosed stations and understanding drivers that impact travel choices. Engaged with rail industry stakeholders through RSSB committees as well as with wider stakeholders such as Network Rail, RDG, and the Department for Transport. Undertaking post project reviews and advised on the development of the business case framework.
Third Sector Impact Assessment
Senior leadership role in third sector as Senior team leader volunteer (2012-2016) for Pro Bono Economics (PBE) undertaking impact assessments. Completed an evaluation of St Giles Trust Choices programme. Undertook qualitative and quantitative surveys and constructed a framework for social cost benefit analysis to measure impact of support given to disadvantaged young adults (April 2014-October 2016), published by PBE in October 2016.
Earlier Project Work
Provided economic advice to HM Treasury (including 3 month secondment) on options available to deliver Tax Free Childcare policy (July 2013 – March 2014)
Designed an effective analytical framework for assessment of consumer protection issues on market study into Quick House Sales and presented findings to OFT Board. (April 2013 – August 2013)
Link to article
Undertook assessment of markets and conduct in anti-competitive investigations including distribution of commercial vehicles, supply and control of access control systems and veterinary diagnostic tests and testing equipment (Sept 2010 –June 2012)
Led review of how consumer behavioural biases impact on competition (Sept 2010 –June 2012)
Advised the Department of Health on the implementation of a new mergers regime in the health sector. Negotiated with stakeholders on proposed actions relating to these proposals (2012-2013)
Led multi-disciplinary teams comprised of lawyers, financial analysts and economists both internal and external to organisation undertaking complex investigations of Royal Mail (2008-2010)
Managed delivery of an intricate information disclosure process for the OFT in the Construction bid-rigging case with over 100 parties leading a team of 5 paralegals, 2 qualified lawyers and external counsel (2007-2008).
Provided OFT’s Cartels division with economic advice on cartel cases involving construction companies and independent schools (2005-2008)
Negotiated a set of transitional and behavioural undertakings with high street banks to implement Competition Commission’s SME banking remedies (2003). Devised investigative strategy as team leader in Cardiff Bus predation case (2006) and Companies House alleged margin squeeze case (2002) and advised on cases in the insurance and banking sectors(1999-2003)
Competition
Regularly advises clients on mergers and competition investigations in particular from the viewpoint of UK competition authorities’ approach to market assessment. Drawing on experience acquired whilst working for Office of Fair Trading (1999-2014) and Competition and Market’s Approach (CMA) (2014-2015) undertaking market analysis and assessments of anti-competitive conduct across a broad range of sectors including: construction, housing, transport, automotive, retail, health, banking, insurance, education and post.
Provided competition and markets expert input to ICF study for Department for Education examining the L4-5 qualification and provider market (March 2018-July 2018) and online learning and artificial intelligence education market (August 2018-December 2018). Advised on the framework for assessment and market definition.
Acted as a competition advocate for the Competition and Market’s Authority (CMA) (2014-2015) advising central government departments on competition issues in public markets. Provided analysis of policy options and advice on how policy design can impact on markets and consumers and contributed to guidelines on how to undertake impact assessments published by the CMA in September 2015.
Link to article
Developed and drafted the content of an e learning module (2015) on bid-rigging in the public sector hosted by the Crown Commercial Service drawing on experience working on cartel cases for OFT's cartel division (2006-2008).
Link to article
Commissioned and quality assured a consumer survey of leaseholders undertaken by Ipsos MORI for CMA’s market study into the residential property management sector (December 2014).
Link to article
Planned and led a complex negotiation involving leading competition authorities within the International Competition Network to agree a recommended practice in the investigation of alleged predatory pricing practices published in March 2014.
Link to article
Regulation
Contributed to the development of the regulatory regime for single source non-competed defence contracts (September 2016-January 2021) as non-executive member of the Board of Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO). The SSRO is an organisation tasked with ensuring the Ministry of Defence gets value for money in non competed defence contracts
Led and provided strategic direction within a regulated sector as Head of Regulatory Economics (October 2015-November 2016) at the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). Worked closely with team of ten economists to develop policies and win consensus on ways forward in a review of Network Rail’s track access charges for the 2018 periodic review. This was a complex, technical and often contentious area of regulation and required extensive consultation within the rail sector as well as discussions with internal stakeholders including at board level to agree proposals to be set out in the consultation document (issued December 2016).
Link to article
Business Case Assessment
Prepared business cases for strategically sensitive research using cost benefit analysis at the Rail Safety and Standard Board (RSSB) (March 2017-September 2017). Worked on research specifications for projects to develop guidance on accessibility for GB rail for those with disabilities or reduced mobility, measuring air quality in enclosed stations and understanding drivers that impact travel choices. Engaged with rail industry stakeholders through RSSB committees as well as with wider stakeholders such as Network Rail, RDG, and the Department for Transport. Undertaking post project reviews and advised on the development of the business case framework.
Third Sector Impact Assessment
Senior leadership role in third sector as Senior team leader volunteer (2012-2016) for Pro Bono Economics (PBE) undertaking impact assessments. Completed an evaluation of St Giles Trust Choices programme. Undertook qualitative and quantitative surveys and constructed a framework for social cost benefit analysis to measure impact of support given to disadvantaged young adults (April 2014-October 2016), published by PBE in October 2016.
Earlier Project Work
Provided economic advice to HM Treasury (including 3 month secondment) on options available to deliver Tax Free Childcare policy (July 2013 – March 2014)
Designed an effective analytical framework for assessment of consumer protection issues on market study into Quick House Sales and presented findings to OFT Board. (April 2013 – August 2013)
Link to article
Undertook assessment of markets and conduct in anti-competitive investigations including distribution of commercial vehicles, supply and control of access control systems and veterinary diagnostic tests and testing equipment (Sept 2010 –June 2012)
Led review of how consumer behavioural biases impact on competition (Sept 2010 –June 2012)
Advised the Department of Health on the implementation of a new mergers regime in the health sector. Negotiated with stakeholders on proposed actions relating to these proposals (2012-2013)
Led multi-disciplinary teams comprised of lawyers, financial analysts and economists both internal and external to organisation undertaking complex investigations of Royal Mail (2008-2010)
Managed delivery of an intricate information disclosure process for the OFT in the Construction bid-rigging case with over 100 parties leading a team of 5 paralegals, 2 qualified lawyers and external counsel (2007-2008).
Provided OFT’s Cartels division with economic advice on cartel cases involving construction companies and independent schools (2005-2008)
Negotiated a set of transitional and behavioural undertakings with high street banks to implement Competition Commission’s SME banking remedies (2003). Devised investigative strategy as team leader in Cardiff Bus predation case (2006) and Companies House alleged margin squeeze case (2002) and advised on cases in the insurance and banking sectors(1999-2003)