The CMA will take on functions from two existing watchdogs, the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission.
Currie is also a member of the Panel of Assessors for the Leveson media inquiry and was chair of Ofcom from 2002 to 2009.
Currie’s four-year appointment will be subject to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill receiving Royal Assent, and to scrutiny by the Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee.