CAA appoints Paul Smith as Consumers and Markets Director
Above:
CAA offices, Gatwick.
Copyright CAA
Paul joins the CAA from the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), where he has been the Head of Policy since January 2016. He brings with him extensive regulatory experience having also served as the chief executive of the Australian Energy Market Commission and having held senior positions with the UK's energy regulator, Ofgem, and the UK's postal service regulator, Postcomm (now Ofcom).
He will take up his new post in May 2018 and will assume responsibility for the CAA's economic regulation, competition, consumer protection and consumer enforcement activity.
Richard Moriarty, currently Deputy Chief Executive who becomes Chief Executive of the CAA from 1 June, said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to the CAA. He brings a wealth of experience across many regulated sectors both in the private and public sector. He joins us at an important time and will lead our work on the new Heathrow runway, the licensing of UK airlines and tour operators, and enforcing consumer rights.”
Commenting on his appointment, Paul Smith, said: “There is no doubt that the coming years in aviation will be both challenging and rewarding and I'm very much looking forward to joining the CAA and to working across a hugely diverse range of issues. It is a very exciting time to be joining the aviation regulator as it proactively addresses numerous issues and opportunities and I am incredibly enthusiastic about joining the team and helping the organisation progress in the years ahead.”
An economist by trade, Paul has a strong track record in economic regulation in both Britain and Australia. He has held various roles at Ofgas (later Ofgem), including as Head of Market Surveillance, before moving to become Deputy Director of Price Control at the postal service regulator, Postcomm (now Ofcom). Most recently Paul was Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) having been promoted from the position of Senior Director, Strategy and Economic Analysis. He also spent four years as Principal of Cambridge Economic Policy Associates, which provides economic and financial consultancy services.
