Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman: Intended Appointment of Board Member

REPORT

Summary

The Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman (OFSO) provides an independent dispute resolution service for unresolved complaints involving financial services.

In accordance with Article 1 of Schedule 1 of the Financial Services Ombudsman (Jersey) Law 2014 (the “Law”), the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development (the “Minister”) must, by instrument in writing, appoint (or re-appoint) a Board of directors’  member  (“Board  member”)  from  among  any  person  nominated  by  the Chairman.

Under the same article of that Law, the Minister is required to notify the States of the intended appointment at least 2 weeks before the appointment is made.

In accordance with these provisions, the Minister directed that the States be notified of the intended appointment of Ms Caroline Dutot as Board member of OSFO for a further term of four years, to commence of 28 April 2026 and to expire of 30 January 2030.

Background

The Channel Islands Ombudsman (CIFO) comprises the OFSO in Jersey and in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. They operate as CIFO under an arrangement entered into by the Minister with the States of Guernsey under Article 6(1) of the Law.

CIFO’s operation is overseen by the OFSO boards, appointed jointly by the Minister and the Guernsey Committee for Economic Development. CIFO acts as one entity, effectively with a single combined Board empowered through legislation in both Jersey and Guernsey.

Appointments of OFSO board members must be made by the Minister by an instrument in writing in accordance with Schedule1(1) of the Law and based on the nominations provided by the Chairman of OFSO to the Minister. Pursuant to paragraph (1) of Schedule of the Law, the Minister has received a letter from the Chairman of OFSO making recommendation for the appointment of a new board member. The nominated candidate to be appointed effective from 28 April 2026 is Ms Caroline Dutot.

Members will recall that a Jersey Board Member recently resigned, triggering a new selection process that has been overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission (the “Commission”).  Both  Jersey  and  Guernsey  officials  participated  in  the  selection process.

The letter also confirms that Caroline remains suitably qualified to be appointed by the Minister as Board member. OFSO has provided the necessary declarations of interest, authority for criminal checks, reference letters and Commissions’ Conclusion Letter which are checks to be undertaken by CIFO for this new Board member appointment as required under the Law.

R.86/2026

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The Minister has approved (subject to the subsequent appointment by Gunersey) the appointment of Caroline Dutot as Board member of OFSO with a 4-year term to commence 28 April 2026 and expire 30 January 2030.

Recommendation of Ms Caroline Dutot

Members may recall Ms Dutot is a qualified Jersey Advocate and English barrister and is the founding member and principal of Ardent Chambers. She currently holds two non-executive roles, on which a listed fund company and the other, a non-profit organisation.  Ms.  Dutot  also  holds  one  board  advisory  role  with  a  non-profit organisation.

Balance of the Board  

There will be no change to the balance of the Board of OSFO as a result of Ms Dutot intended appointment. The current Board will consist of four members as follows:

• one Jersey resident (Ms. Dutot);

• two Guernsey residents (Mr. Rob Girard who currently also acts as Vice-Chair and Hayley North); and

• on off-Island resident who acts as chair.

Resource implications

There are no financial and manpower implications for the States arising from the appointment.

R.86/2026