Consumer Friend Podcast – Chief Executive of the OA Discusses the Role of an Ombudsman
This month, Donal Galligan, Chief Executive of the Ombudsman Association, stepped into the spotlight and made a guest appearance on the Consumer Friend Podcast to discuss the vital role of ombudsman schemes in providing fair redress for individuals across the consumer landscape.
In a change of role, Donal moved from asking the questions on our own podcast (That OA Thing) to answering them, joining hosts Adam Carter and Louise Baxter MBE for a discussion about the Ombudsman sector and the Guide to Ombudsman Offices in the UK.
In this episode, Donal discusses:
- What is an Ombudsman? Discover how Ombudsman schemes work as an independent, impartial, and free alternative to the courts. As well as providing redress for an individual, they also identify any systemic issues and provide feedback to help improve services and complaint handling.
- The Role of the Ombudsman Association: How the OA sets standards for Ombudsman schemes and complaint handler members across the UK and Ireland. Ensuring its members adhere to criteria such as Independence, Fairness, Effectiveness, Openness & Transparency and Accountability.
- Bridging the Gaps in Redress: Donal highlights the need for reform, including creating mandatory Ombudsman schemes in sectors like aviation and the importance of simplifying the landscape to increase access to justice and redress.
- The Guide to Ombudsman Offices in the UK: A valuable resource developed by the Ombudsman Association for navigating the often-confusing landscape helping individuals and professionals find the right Ombudsman that can help them quickly and easily.
- Raising Awareness: A key priority for the Ombudsman Association, Donal shares the importance of raising awareness of Ombudsman schemes, addressing existing gaps, and offering ways to empower individuals to seek redress effectively.
Take a moment to tune in to the Consumer Friend podcast— a must-listen for consumers and professionals alike!
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Resources:
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Consumer Friend Website – Practical resources and tips for consumers