William Townsend

Assistant Director, AI Policy Team at Competition & Markets Authority (CMA)

Speaker

William is an Assistant Director in the AI Policy Team at the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority where he leads public policy work on AI, including engaging with government and other Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum members. He previously worked in the CMA’s Digital Markets Unit preparing for the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Before joining the CMA, William held several civil service roles in New Zealand government in competition and financial markets policy. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Commercial Law from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.