Complaints from small businesses and about claims management companies

From 1 April the Financial Ombudsman Service will be able to help even more people get answers to their problems as our remit is expanded.

We’ll be able to look into complaints from a larger group of smaller businesses and, in addition, we’ll also be able to consider complaints about claims management companies.

Commenting on the new jurisdiction for SMEs taken on by the Financial Ombudsman Services, Caroline Wayman, chief ombudsman and chief executive of the Financial Ombudsman Service, said:

Every year we help thousands of small businesses get fair answers to complaints about financial services. From today, around 200,000 more small businesses will be able to bring their complaints to the ombudsman service. We’re looking forward to this opportunity to help more businesses get fair resolution to these disputes.

Commenting on the Financial Ombudsman Services’ new responsibility to resolve complaints about CMCs, Caroline Wayman, chief ombudsman and chief executive of the Financial Ombudsman Service, said:

From 1 April, the Claims Management Ombudsman, a Financial Ombudsman Service, will be responsible for resolving complaints about claims management companies, following the transfer of regulation to the Financial Conduct Authority. The ombudsman service will be able to look at complaints against all regulated CMCs, which includes those which bring claims about financial services as well as those operating in the personal and criminal injury, housing disrepair, specified benefit and employment sectors. We’re looking forward to helping more consumers get fair resolution to their disputes.

Latest news

Financial Ombudsman Service receives 40% more cases when compared to the same time last year

4 March 2025

The Financial Ombudsman Service is continuing to receive high levels of complaints from consumers and small businesses, according to new figures published today.

Press release Complaints data Data and Insight Q3 complaints data

Read more 

Baroness Manzoor announces she is stepping down after completing two terms

10 February 2025

Baroness Manzoor CBE, Chairman of the Financial Ombudsman Service, is stepping down after successfully serving two terms of office when her current term expires on 1 August 2025.

Read more 

Financial Ombudsman Service to start charging professional representatives to refer cases

7 February 2025

The Financial Ombudsman Service has announced that it will be proceeding with a proposal to charge professional representatives to refer a case to its service.

Press release CMC

Read more