Our Team

John has extensive experience in leadership and regulation, having served as Chief Executive of the GCRA and overseeing the integration of the Guernsey and Jersey regulators in 2010. Prior to this, he led the Guernsey Office of Utility Regulation as Director General from 2005.

John is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Guernsey Data Protection Authority and serves as Chairman of the Guernsey Employment Trust, reflecting his dedication to community-focused initiatives.

Before relocating to Guernsey in 2003, John worked with Telstra, Australia’s largest telecoms provider, and ComReg, Ireland’s telecoms regulator. At ComReg, he played a key role in introducing competition to the communications market, showcasing his ability to drive impactful change.

With a career spanning multiple sectors and jurisdictions, John’s strategic insights and commitment to fair regulation continue to support the GCRA’s mission.

Michael brings a deep understanding of regulation and competition law across the broadcasting, telecommunications, postal, and energy sectors in both the UK and Channel Islands. His leadership has been pivotal to the GCRA’s mission of fostering fair and effective market regulation since he joined the Guernsey regulator in 2005, becoming Deputy Director General in 2007.

Michael’s career spans influential roles, including Chief Statistician at the SDO (RSA), Head of Macro Economic Assessment at the UK Office for National Statistics, Head of Strategy and Economic Assessment at the Independent Television Commission (UK), and Senior Manager in the Retail Competition Division at Ofgem (UK). These experiences have equipped him with broad expertise in market analysis, strategy, and policy implementation.

Michael’s academic achievements include a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Warwick, a postgraduate qualification in European Competition Law from King’s College, London, and a diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. He also holds a first-class Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mathematical Statistics and a Bachelor of Science in Statistics, Economics, and Mathematics from the University of Natal, South Africa.

As CEO of the GCRA, Michael continues to drive innovation, transparency, and excellence in regulation across the Bailiwick.

George Ritchie brings over 25 years of expertise in regulation, competition law, and public law within the telecommunications sector. His career spans private practice, government service, and senior legal roles at British Telecommunications plc (BT), where he gained extensive experience managing telecoms regulation and competition law.

At BT, George served as Chief Counsel Competition & Regulation for BT Wholesale (2003–2009) and for BT Group (2009–2017). From 2017 to 2022, he took on the role of Commitments Assurance Director, where he independently monitored BT’s compliance with its Commitments to establish Openreach as a separate subsidiary with operational and strategic independence. Reporting to the BT Compliance Committee and Ofcom, George’s leadership helped embed sustainable governance arrangements at Openreach.

Since retiring from BT in 2022, George has expanded his portfolio to include a range of non-executive and consultancy roles, such as:

• Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Committee at the Health Research Authority.
• Lay Public Interest Council Observer for the Association of Taxation Technicians.
• Lay Tribunal Member for the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.
• Chair of the Letchworth Garden City Educational Trust.

George’s wealth of knowledge and dedication to good governance make him a vital contributor to the GCRA’s work supporting fair competition and effective regulation in the Bailiwick.

Hilary Jennings brings extensive experience in competition, regulation, and market access policies, built over a 25-year career spanning public and private sectors. She is a Board Member of the UK Regulatory Policy Committee and an independent consultant, offering best practice advice to competition authorities and government departments worldwide.

Hilary’s work has focused on supporting emerging economies, collaborating with international organizations such as the European Commission, the OECD, and the World Bank. Her expertise has been shaped by senior roles at the OECD, the UK’s Office of Fair Trading (now the Competition and Markets Authority), and leadership positions in the private sector.

Her deep knowledge of global regulatory practices and commitment to fair competition are key assets in her role with the GCRA, helping to foster a well-regulated, competitive environment in the Bailiwick.

Sarah Livestro serves as the GCRA’s Legal Director, bringing over 20 years of expertise in competition law and regulatory compliance. She joined the Authority in 2015, following a distinguished career in private practice as a competition and State aid lawyer, with experience in London, Brussels, and a leading UK national firm.

At the GCRA, Sarah plays a central role in delivering the Authority’s strategic objectives for competition law enforcement and oversees legal support across all the regulatory sectors it governs. Her work spans competition law investigations, mergers, and regulatory compliance, ensuring robust and effective legal frameworks in the Bailiwick.

Sarah holds first-class degrees in Law (MA and LLM) from the University of Cambridge. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1999, admitted as a solicitor in 2007, and holds a professional certificate in Mediation and Mediation Skills from Queen Margaret University. Her comprehensive legal expertise and dedication to fostering fair markets are instrumental to the GCRA’s mission.

Richard is the GCRA’s In-House Counsel, bringing a strong background in litigation and regulatory law. He joined the Authority in 2019 after working in private practice in London and Guernsey, where he gained extensive experience in complex legal matters.

At the GCRA, Richard provides expert legal advice across the Authority’s supervisory areas, including pre-litigation and litigation matters. He supports competition law enforcement investigations and interventions, advises on economic regulatory issues in the telecommunications and electricity sectors, and assists the Legal Director with merger and acquisition assessments.

Richard was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2010 and admitted as a solicitor in 2014. With a degree in International Politics, he brings a broad perspective to his work and is a member of the Guernsey International Legal Association. His analytical skills and litigation expertise are integral to supporting the GCRA’s regulatory and competition objectives.

Sonia is the GCRA’s Regulatory Economist, bringing many years of expertise in utility regulation to the Authority, which she joined in 2023. Her analytical skills and experience in economic evaluation play a key role in supporting the GCRA’s regulatory objectives.

Since joining, Sonia has contributed to important work in the telecoms sector, including price control decisions and compliance assessments, helping to ensure fair and transparent market practices.

Sonia has shared her expertise on the international stage, publishing and presenting her work with the Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master of Science in Development Statistics from the University of the West Indies, showcasing her strong foundation in economic research and policy analysis.

Her dedication to data-driven decision-making and regulatory excellence supports the GCRA’s mission of fostering fair competition and effective market oversight in the Bailiwick.

Caleb brings a deep blend of commercial and technical expertise to the Guernsey Competition and Regulatory Authority (GCRA), where he serves as Telecoms & Communications Regulatory Advisor. Drawing on over 25 years of experience in telecommunications, product management, and marketing, Caleb ensures that choice and value remain at the heart of the GCRA’s work for the Bailiwick.

Caleb uses his extensive industry knowledge to support fair competition and innovation in Guernsey’s telecoms sector. His creative background enhances how the GCRA communicates with islanders, helping to make complex regulatory topics accessible and engaging for all.

Before joining the GCRA, Caleb worked as Project Manager for JT Guernsey’s Fibre project, where he successfully led both new and ongoing initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and budget control. His ability to maintain strong stakeholder relationships and deliver product growth exemplifies his leadership in the telecoms industry.

With a proven track record in product innovation, commercial strategy, and effective communication, Caleb is a vital part of the GCRA team, dedicated to driving positive change and delivering value for Guernsey’s businesses and consumers alike.

Tia Gardner brings over 7 years of high-level social media and digital marketing expertise to the Guernsey Competition and Regulatory Authority (GCRA). Having worked with globally recognized brands like Netflix, BBC, NOW TV, and MuscleTech, Tia has a proven ability to deliver innovative and impactful digital strategies. Her background in creating engaging content, driving audience growth, and enhancing brand visibility is a perfect fit for the GCRA’s mission to connect with Islanders and promote transparency in regulation.

At the GCRA, Tia applies her extensive experience to enhance communication with the community, ensuring Islanders have clear and accessible information about the GCRA’s work. Her creativity and strategic mindset are instrumental in producing compelling content that informs and engages the public across digital platforms.

With a track record of engaging teams, forming strategic partnerships, and achieving outstanding results in dynamic environments, Tia brings a fresh perspective to the GCRA’s outreach efforts. Her expertise ensures that the GCRA’s message of fostering competition, protecting consumers, and delivering value is effectively communicated to businesses, policymakers, and the public alike. Tia’s dedication to innovation and collaboration makes her a key part of the GCRA’s drive to serve the community better.