Mark White named new Groceries Code Adjudicator

Mark White, an expert in commercial law, has been appointed as the new Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA).

White will take up the role, which is responsible for ensuring large grocery retailers treat their direct suppliers lawfully and fairly, at the end of the year when the incumbent Christine Tacon steps down.

The government has earlier reappointed Tacon for a term of up to 6 months to provide continuity to the groceries sector through the coronavirus pandemic. White will work alongside her as Deputy GCA to allow for a thorough handover.

“Mark White’s extensive experience will bring valuable insight to this important role, providing support to the groceries sector through these difficult times,” commented Paul Scully, small business minister.

White currently serves as a non-executive chairman of Digital Reconnaissance Limited, a cyber protocol employee reference checking company. He is also Member of the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) and of the Lower Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) at HM Courts & Tribunal Service.

Responding to the appointment, he said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to succeed Christine Tacon. I welcome the opportunity to build on Christine’s work and as GCA my objective will be to drive forward the progress that has been made to date.

“As the annual survey has shown, much has been achieved, but there is still more to be do and I welcome the government’s commitment in its response to the Statutory Review to work with me to help suppliers feel empowered to raise issues in confidence with the GCA and their retailers directly.

“I intend to build relationships across the sector – most importantly with the retailers, suppliers and trade bodies – while I carry out the role of Deputy to Christine in the short term. In that way, I will be in a strong position to work on future issues as her successor and the UK’s second GCA.”

White has extensive international experience across sectors, working at Compass Group, Ferguson PLC (formerly Wolseley PLC), Enterprise Oil PLC (now part of Royal Dutch Shell) and Rotork p.l.c. Mark was also a solicitor at Eversheds Sutherland LLP (formerly Frere Cholmeley).