FOS CEO Abby Thomas received £230,000 payout after sudden exit

Includes £100,000 loss of office compensation

Sahar Nazir
clock • 2 min read

The former CEO of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Abby Thomas was paid nearly £230,000 following her abrupt departure earlier this year, the organisation’s latest annual report has confirmed.

Thomas, who stepped down on 6 February, received £229,869 in severance payments in addition to her regular salary, The Times first reported. The annual report for the year ended 31 March 2025 showed that the sum included £100,000 as compensation for loss of office, £107,692 in lieu of notice, and £22,177 for a period of gardening leave starting on her departure date. Her sudden exit drew criticism from MPs on the Treasury select committee, who questioned the handling of Thomas's exit and criticised FOS chair Baroness Zahida Manzoor for declining to clarify the reasons behind it or whe...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

The five-minute complaint and the five-day investigation

The five-minute complaint and the five-day investigation

GSI Group CEO on complaints, AI and the latest set of FOS reforms

Mark Buck
clock 12 August 2026 • 5 min read
Andrew Goodwin: The advice gap - an embarrassment of riches?

Andrew Goodwin: The advice gap - an embarrassment of riches?

Andrew Goodwin: The advice gap - an embarrassment of riches?

Andrew Goodwin
clock 12 August 2026 • 4 min read
New Talent Alliance launches financial advice careers guide

New Talent Alliance launches financial advice careers guide

Designed to attract new entrants into the profession

Sophia Panayi
clock 11 August 2026 • 2 min read