The Financial Ombudsman Service resolves disputes between consumers or small businesses and their financial service providers. As a free and impartial service, we deliver fair outcomes and share insights with consumer groups, industry, regulators and government to help improve the wider financial services ecosystem. 

This is an exciting time to join the Financial Ombudsman Service as we modernise how we resolve complaints and respond to change across financial services. With regulatory reform, new technologies and evolving customer needs shaping our work, you will have the opportunity to influence how we develop our service while protecting the fairness, quality and impartiality that underpin it.

We are seeking an exceptional legal leader to lead our Legal function and Data Protection and Information Insights team. The General Counsel will provide strategic, practical advice that protects the integrity of our work, supports effective decision-making and enables fair, consistent and defensible outcomes.

You will advise the Board, Executive Team, Chief Ombudsman, Chief Executive and senior leaders on complex, sensitive and high-risk matters. Your remit will span casework, litigation, public and regulatory law, employment, commercial activity, data protection and information rights. You will lead our approach to litigation and judicial review, oversee data protection while ensuring the appropriate independence of the Data Protection Officer, and advise on the opportunities and risks arising from AI, emerging technologies and organisational change.

A key priority will be developing a modern and effective legal operating model, with clear centres of expertise, accessible guidance and effective management of external counsel. You will ensure high-performing teams that provide pragmatic, proportionate advice while maintaining professional standards and legal independence.

A qualified solicitor or barrister, you will bring significant senior legal leadership experience in a complex organisation and substantial experience of litigation and contentious matters. You will have outstanding legal judgement, a strong record of advising Boards and Executive Teams, and experience of improving the effectiveness of a legal function. Commercial and political awareness will be essential, alongside the ability to balance legal obligations, risk and operational realities. You will also contribute beyond the legal function to the organisation’s strategy, transformation, culture and performance.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Financial Ombudsman Service on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference GFOSM. Alternatively email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 29 October 2026.