Australian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO Scott Gregson will leave in March to join the corporate regulator.

He will take over from retiring Australian Securities and Investments Commission interim CEO Greg Yanco, who succeeded Warren Day in April last year.

ASIC chair Joe Longo says Mr Gregson was the standout candidate in a domestic and international search.

“His commitment to achieving regulatory outcomes that benefit all Australians makes him a strong addition to support ASIC’s commission and head the agency’s executive leadership team,” Mr Longo said.

“As ASIC enters the next phase of the program of transformation we began three years ago, Scott’s experience supporting digital and technology delivery, and his pedigree in enforcement and compliance, will continue to ensure ASIC is well placed to meet future challenges.”

Mr Gregson started at the ACCC as a graduate in 1996 and has held several senior roles.

He led teams that litigated high-profile cases including against Volkswagen, Coles and Apple, and more recently led the watchdog’s digital and data transformation program as CEO. 

“The momentum ASIC is showing in its work and impact is very appealing for me,” Mr Gregson said.

“In an increasingly complex world with heightened cost-of-living pressures, the work of ASIC is more important than ever and I look forward to taking the step up and helping ASIC meet the challenges ahead.”

The consumer commission says it will begin searching for a new CEO.

“This is a great loss for the ACCC and a great gain for ASIC,” chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“Scott Gregson has made an enormous contribution in his nearly 30 years at the ACCC, and he will be sincerely missed.”