Apply to be a CMA non-governmental adviser for 2026 to 2027
Overview
We're opening an expression of interest (EOI) to recruit a cohort of non-governmental advisers (NGA) for the September 2026 to August 2027 International Competition Network (ICN) year.
This page sets out background on the ICN, the role of NGAs and more information on how to express interest in becoming an NGA for the CMA this year.
About the International Competition Network
The ICN is a network of more than 140 competition agencies set up with a view to promoting superior standards and procedures in competition enforcement and policy by member agencies around the world.
The CMA is an active member of the ICN and our CEO, Sarah Cardell, is Vice-Chair of the ICN Steering Group. The ICN operates through a series of working groups, and every year members meet at the Annual Conference to share the
progress of the working groups and discuss topics of relevance to competition authorities worldwide.
While it is primarily a network of competition authorities, the ICN has always sought to reach out to the entire competition community and take on additional expert advice through the engagement of NGAs.
The role of NGAs
NGAs are competition experts from all backgrounds – lawyers and economists in private practice, inhouse counsels, representatives of non-governmental international organisations, members of industry and consumer groups, and academics– who volunteer to contribute to the ICN’s work.
NGA engagement is important because it:
- adds value of new perspectives
- improves the relevance and practicality of the ICN’s work
- expands the ICN’s resources
- supports wider sharing of the ICNs work products
NGAs can benefit from the chance to interact with competition agencies, as well as with fellow NGAs, improving knowledge of agency practice worldwide.
NGAs are selected by each member agency within the ICN. They play an important role contributing actively to the network alongside member agencies. NGAs can contribute to the ICN’s working groups and special projects, sharing expertise by reviewing good practice guidance, presenting in webinars and attending workshops and the ICN Annual Conference.
To find out more about each working group and special project, read and review their missions and most recent workplans:
- Advocacy
- Agency Effectiveness
- Cartel
- Merger
- Unilateral conduct
- ICN Framework for Competition Agency Procedures (CAP)
- Special project on Competition in Food and Agriculture Market
More information about the NGA role is available in the ICN’s NGA Toolkit.
NGA selection process
The CMA appoints NGAs on an annual basis. For the September 2026 to August 2027 ICN year we will be appointing NGAs through an open EOI.
We will be assessing expressions of interest based on the following principles:
Diversity
When selecting our NGAs, we aim for a diverse mix of people (including by gender, background, perspectives and interests), with professional experience from academia, private practice (legal and economic), consumer organisations and businesses. We are aiming to cover all working groups, so are also considering the interests in contributing to different projects of the ICN.
Engagement
NGAs need to show willingness to contribute meaningfully to the work products of the ICN. In your response to the expression of interest, indicate which working groups and projects you’re interested in, and how you plan to contribute. If you have been an NGA previously and want to be reappointed, your previous work in the role will be taken into account.
Independence
We will also consider any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
When selecting NGAs the CMA will also consider whether applicants have a UK nexus through their working location, or academic affiliations. We aim to have a manageable-sized group of NGAs so that we have capacity to work closely with all involved throughout the ICN year.
Application details
We will be inviting EOIs between 16 July 2026 and 13 August 2026 with the aim of appointing NGAs in early autumn.
If you have any questions, please contact internationalteam@cma.gov.uk
Expression of interest form
Interests
- Competition Act 98 and civil cartels
- Consumer protection
- Criminal cartels
- Digital markets
- Markets
- Mergers