Turing Institute chair Doug Gurr steps down for permanent CMA role

TL;DR: Dr Doug Gurr is stepping down as chair of the Alan Turing Institute to take up a five-year appointment as permanent chair of the Competition and Markets Authority. Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB has been named interim chair, while newly appointed CEO Dr George Williamson starts in May.

The Alan Turing Institute is undergoing a significant leadership transition. Gurr, who had been serving as interim CMA chair in recent months, had his permanent appointment confirmed by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on 27 February. He has chaired the Turing since July 2022.

A bridge between AI research and competition regulation

Gurr’s move from the UK’s national AI research institute to the competition regulator is notable given the CMA’s growing role in overseeing AI markets. The authority has been increasingly active on AI competition issues — from its review of foundation model markets to its scrutiny of major partnerships between AI firms and cloud providers.

Having led an organisation at the centre of UK AI research, Gurr brings direct experience of the technology landscape the CMA is tasked with regulating. In his departing statement, he highlighted the Turing’s focus on “developing and deploying sovereign AI to enhance our national resilience” — a priority that aligns with the government’s broader AI strategy.

Transition plans in place

The Institute has moved quickly to ensure continuity. Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, previously co-deputy chair, takes over on an interim basis while a permanent recruitment process begins. Meanwhile, Dr George Williamson CMG — announced as the Turing’s new CEO — will take up his post in May, replacing acting CEO Prof Mark Girolami.

Looking forward

The dual leadership change comes at an important moment for the Turing Institute, which has been repositioning itself around sovereign AI capabilities and national resilience. With both a new chair and CEO incoming, the Institute’s direction over the coming year will signal how the UK plans to balance AI research ambitions with practical deployment. Gurr’s presence at the CMA, meanwhile, could shape how the regulator approaches AI market oversight.