Chief ombudsman Merricks to step down

Merricks has set up and run the FOS since 1999, during which time it has dealt with 5 million enquiries and resolved 750,000 disputes. Announcing his plans today, Merricks says:  "It has been a privilege to lead this organisation and its excellent people - but it is now time for me to move on. "A strong independent service providing justice in the field of consumer financial disputes is needed now more than ever. "The ombudsman service has found a permanent place in the consumer-protection framework for financial services, and I am confident that the organisation will continue to b...