Ombudsman Association announces appointment of first Association Director

The Ombudsman Association (OA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Donal Galligan as Director of the Association. Mr Galligan has previously held the position of Secretary of the OA and steps into the newly created role effective 1 February 2016.   

The new role provides support and direction to the Chair and Executive Committee; contributing to the strategic management of the Association.

Mr Galligan joined the Association on an interim basis in June 2014. He has a diverse background having worked in Private Office and policy roles and has extensive experience of external relations. Prior to joining the OA he helped set up the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority whilst at the Department of Trade and Industry and ran the Board Secretariat at the South East England Development Agency. In 2008 he joined the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), where he spent five years. At PHSO he set up and headed the policy team, where he led on international relations, influenced government policy and secured legislative changes.

Donal has a keen interest in politics and current affairs and has been successful in campaigning on issues in his local community.

Lewis Shand Smith, Chair of the Ombudsman Association and Chief Ombudsman at Ombudsman Services, welcomes the appointment:

“‘I am delighted that Mr Galligan has been appointed to this new post. It marks a significant milestone in the development of the Ombudsman Association. Mr Galligan will give the OA executive leadership at a crucial time in the development of public and private sector ombudsman schemes, alternative dispute resolution and complaint handling.”

About the Ombudsman Association

• The Ombudsman Association is a professional association for ombudsman schemes and complaint handlers, their staff and others interested in the work of independent complaint resolution.
• The Ombudsman Association promotes and supports an effective system of complaint handling and redress in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Britain’s Crown Dependencies and Britain’s Overseas Territories.
• Further information about the Ombudsman Association can be found at www.ombudsmanassociation.org