12) Margrethe Vestager
Title: European commissioner for competition
Formerly the Deputy Prime-Minister of Denmark Vestager makes this list because she has one decision in her hands that could reshape the road transport industry, namely approving FedEx’s acquisition of TNT.
The commission had until 7 December to “make sure that FedEx's takeover of TNT would not impede effective competition and would not lead to higher prices for consumers” – but has failed to announce its decision as we went to press. Whatever way it goes will affect the future of those two businesses, and their rivals UPS and DHL Express, inordinately.
After the UPS deal for TNT was scrapped, the FedEx/ TNT merger looks a lot more positive. Both parties said in October that they did not expect to receive a statement of objections from the European Commission, which might have slowed or even vetoed the deal. They continue to expect the deal to complete in the first half of 2016, Vestager willing.
- Every day over Christmas and the New Year we will be counting down the Motor Transport Power Players from 20 to one, so come back tomorrow at 9am to see who is next in our countdown. As ever, we'd welcome your feedback and input into the debate. Send us your thoughts on Twitter @Motor_Transport using #MTPowerPlayers
