Joseph Gilchrist

Joe is a Special Adviser to Fipra International. Joe spent twenty-four years as a senior official with the European Commission in DG Competition.  As Head of Division for General State Aid Policy and then for Regional Aids, Joe drafted many of the basic policy documents in these fields. Joe was a member of the working group that established the Merger Policy and Task Force in 1989.  He was appointed the European Commission's sole Hearing Officer responsible for liaison with the Member States in merger and competition policy and for the rights of the defense in merger control cases.  From 1993 onwards he was also the hearing officer for Anti-trust cases.  Prior to joining the European Commission, he worked for Nestle and Rothmans International.  In 1997 Joe joined the international law firm, Clifford Chance as Counsel and European Affairs adviser   Joe was one of the founder directors of Fipra International in 2000.  While at Fipra Joe has twice given evidence to the British Parliament’s House of Lords on the reforms of European Competition Policy and has researched, written and spoken extensively on this subject. He is an Adviser to various governments on the development of their competition policy.  He speaks fluent English, French, and German and has some knowledge of Dutch, Italian and Greek.