Baroness Zahida Manzoor CBE has been appointed as the new chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
She will take up the role on 2 August 2019, succeeding Sir Nicholas Montagu who is stepping down after more than seven years in post.
Baroness Manzoor was appointed to the House of Lords in 2013, where she served as House of Lords Government Whip and Minister between March 2018 and May 2019.
Before joining the Lords, Baroness Manzoor spent over 20 years at board level within large, complex organisations. She served as The Legal Services Ombudsman for England and Wales and The Legal Services Complaints Commissioner. While a member of the NHS’ policy board, Baroness Manzoor was one of eight Regional chairs overseeing the NHS’ operations and was involved in leading significant transformation programmes.
Charles Randell, chair of the FCA, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Zahida and I look forward to working with her. The Ombudsman Service fulfils an essential role in delivering a fair system for resolving disputes between consumers or small businesses and financial firms. Zahida brings extensive experience of public service, governance and dispute resolution to the role.
“Sir Nicholas is stepping down as he reaches the end of his final term after seven years leading the Board at the Ombudsman Service. I want to thank Sir Nicholas for his service over a period of significant change and wish him well.”
Baroness Manzoor added: “My appointment to the role of chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service follows a career dedicated to public service and ensuring fair treatment in people’s everyday lives. I very much see that continuing with the ombudsman service. “I wish Sir Nicholas Montagu well as he hands me the baton and I look forward to working with Caroline Wayman and ombudsman service colleagues, who I know are committed to providing a modern and first rate service to all. And it’s vital too that we maintain effective and constructive relationships with all key stakeholders to ensure we all work together in the best interest of all users of the service.”