information for businesses covered by the ombudsman service
This section answers a number of frequently-asked questions (FAQs) about:
keeping in touch
smaller businesses
how does the ombudsman service keep in touch with the issues that affect smaller businesses?
We work with a wide range of trade associations and networks representing smaller businesses that are:
- covered by the ombudsman service for complaints made against them in relation to financial services they provide; and/or
- entitled to bring their own complaints to us about other financial companies.
We take part in trade-shows, annual conferences and other key events organised by trade bodies for smaller businesses. This gives us the opportunity to meet people who run their own businesses – and to hear about the issues that affect them directly. We also run seminars around the UK, specifically aimed at giving smaller business the opportunity to learn more about the ombudsman service and how we work.
We have also set up a smaller-business forum involving representatives from the following trade associations:
- Association of Independent Financial Advisers
- Association of Finance Brokers
- Association of Mortgage Intermediaries
- Association of Friendly Societies
- Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries
- Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers
- Association of Short Term Lenders
- Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries
- British Insurance Brokers Association
- British Cheque & Credit Association
- Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters
- Finance & Leasing Association
- Forum of Private Business
- National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers
- National Landlords Association
- National Pawnbrokers Association
- Scottish Motor Trade Association
- UK Money Transmitters Association
- FSA Smaller Businesses Practitioner Panel
If you represent smaller businesses and would like to invite us to take part in an event you are organising for members, please get in touch with our external liaison team.