FCA appoints Interim Chair for the Financial Ombudsman Service 

Liam Coleman has been appointed interim chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). 

Coleman has over 30 years’ extensive financial services, public sector and board experience. He was formerly chief executive officer of The Co-operative Bank, deputy group treasurer and group head of capital management at The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and group director, treasury at Nationwide Building Society. Coleman currently chairs Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and London and Quadrant Housing Trust, and is interim chair of Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. 

Coleman will succeed Baroness Zahida Manzoor CBE, who is stepping down after 2 terms in post. He will chair the Financial Ombudsman’s board until a permanent appointment is made, after the initial recruitment campaign proved unsuccessful.  

Coleman will take up the role in October 2025.  

Ashley Alder, Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said “I am delighted that someone with Liam’s depth of experience will lead the Financial Ombudsman’s board during what is a pivotal time for the organisation. 

“I want to thank Baroness Manzoor for all she’s done to steer an ambitious improvement programme at the Ombudsman over the last 6 years.”