As class representative, Clare Spottiswoode will conduct the claim against the cable manufacturers on behalf of all class members. She will instruct the lawyers and experts, make decisions on the conduct of the claim, including potential settlement. To assist with her decision making, Clare has appointed an independent advisory committee comprising former President of the Competition Appeal Tribunal and High Court Judge, Sir Gerald Barling, and former Executive of Ofgem and Head of Regulation at BT, Maxine Frerk.
Clare is uniquely experienced in the energy sector and has had a long and distinguished career defending consumer interests and holding large financial firms to account for their conduct.
Clare is the former Director General of the Office of Gas Supply (Ofgas), which later merged with the electricity regulator to form Ofgem, the current energy regulator. During her time there, she oversaw the transformation of the gas industry from a monopoly into a competitive industry (for which she received her CBE for services to industry). This gave her a deep understanding of the UK consumer energy sector, and has made her highly motivated to make sure the energy markets function competitively, and fairly for consumers.
Clare has been responsible for a number of consumer advocate roles, including as Policyholder Advocate for Aviva, responsible for ensuring that around one million WithProfits policyholders received a fair share of the £5-6 billion inherited estate, negotiating a settlement under which policyholders received more than double the only previous settlement offer, giving her unparalleled experience managing and distributing sizeable claims. She was one of five commissioners on the Independent Commission in Banking, an independent commission tasked with considering reforms to the banking industry to promote financial stability and competition in the wake of the global financial crisis.
Clare’s other relevant experience includes as the former Chair of the Ukrainian gas company, Naftogaz, the largest company in Ukraine. Her background is in economics and she has significant experience instructing lawyers and others in large and complex legal proceedings, making her uniquely placed to bring this action.
Clare has instructed Scott+Scott, a specialist disputes resolution firm whose solicitors have extensive expertise in competition litigation, including acting for the class representative (or proposed class representative) in other collective actions in the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Clare has also instructed a highly experienced barrister team from Brick Court Chambers, one of the leading sets at the Bar.
Clare has instructed economists with deep expertise in the energy sector, as well as a former chief executive of a UK electricity supplier to act as an industry expert.