Chief Economist
Martin Machay
Martin Machay was appointed on February 18, 2025, as the Chief Economist of the Czech Competition Authority (UOHS). His primary mission is to enhance the authority’s analytical capabilities, support sector inquiries, and proactively monitor competition issues across various industries.Machay has articulated a clear vision for his department: to establish a wellrespected economic analysis unit that delivers timely and expert insights, contributing to the effective enforcement of competition law in the Czech Republic.
Machay emphasizes the importance of integrating rigorous economic analysis into competition enforcement, particularly through advanced quantitative methodologies. He believes that a strong economic perspective is essential for assessing complex market behaviors, evaluating mergers, and identifying anti-competitive practices.
Under his leadership, the department will focus on conducting in-depth economic assessments, ensuring that UOHS decisions are wellgrounded in empirical evidence and aligned with best practices in competition policy. Additionally, he aims to foster closer collaboration with other departments within the authority, as well as with external stakeholders, including academic institutions and international competition agencies.
His professional background is deeply rooted in economic research and academia. Prior to joining UOHS, Machay held academic positions at leading Czech universities, where he specialized in microeconomics, industrial organization, and digital market dynamics. He has extensive experience analyzing the competitive effects of market structures, particularly in telecommunications and digital markets, which are increasingly relevant areas for competition authorities worldwide.
His expertise in behavioral economics also informs his approach, as he seeks to incorporate insights on consumer behavior and market distortions into UOHS’s competition assessments. With this strong foundation, Machay is committed to ensuring that economic analysis plays a central role in UOHS’s regulatory and enforcement activities.