Clare man chosen to lead European Commission's new elite competition watchdog unit

Anthony Whelan takes key role amid calls on regulators to ease merger rules and tensions with the US over tech laws

Clare man Anthony Whelan will head the European Commission's new elite competition unit. Picture:  Larry Cummins

Clare man Anthony Whelan will head the European Commission's new elite competition unit, a senior Commission executive said on Monday, a key job which has taken on added importance amid calls on regulators to ease merger rules and tensions with the United States over tech laws.

Mr Whelan, 57, takes over from Frenchman Olivier Guersent who retired last August after a 33-year career tackling antitrust issues, cartels and financial services.