Peter Freeman, a partner at Simmons & Simmons and adviser to retail entrepreneur Philip Green on his prospective bid for Safeway, has been appointed deputy chairman of the UK Competition Commission.

Freeman, along with fellow Simmons & Simmons partner Martin Smith, has been credited with the expansion of Simmons & Simmons' competition practice, which has doubled in size over the past years. Freeman will continue at Simmons & Simmons until September, leaving him free to continue advising Green. He assumes his post as deputy chairman on September 15 but will be eligible to be a member of the Commission from May 6.