Paul de Bijl appointed as ACM’s new Chief Economist

On May 15, 2022, Paul de Bijl will start as the new Chief Economist of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). ACM ensures that markets work well for people and businesses, now and in the future.

Manon Leijten, Member of the Board of ACM, comments: “Paul has extensive experience in ACM’s economic regulation of issues at the heart of ACM’s mission: competition, public interests, and regulation of specific sectors such as energy, telecom, transport, and postal services. We are looking forward to working together with such an experienced and distinguished Chief Economist on ensuring that markets work well for people and businesses.”

Mr. De Bijl is delighted to be ACM’s new Chief Economist: “ACM’s work matters a great deal. I see this as an exciting opportunity to work as Chief Economist at the heart of oversight and enforcement, and, in this way, work on current issues that affect everyone.”

Since 2013, Mr. De Bijl has been an independent advisor with research firm Radicand Economics, giving advice to businesses and government on competition, sector-specific regulation, public interests, and digital platforms. In addition, he is an associate digital strategist at digital agency Ngrane, and he is also assistant professor at the Utrecht University School of Law. Prior to 2013, he held other positions, such as head of the sector Regulation and Health Care at the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB), and visiting professor (part-time) in Regulatory Economics at the WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany.

Mr. De Bijl obtained his master’s degree in econometrics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, and holds a doctoral degree in economics from Tilburg University.

This appointment to an ABD position was made through the general procedure for positions offered by ABD. The recruitment and selection process for this appointment was a joint effort of ABD and ACM. As is standard for these positions, the job posting was widely published, thereby allowing everyone to apply.