The Financial Ombudsman Service has appointed FCA executive Nausicaa Delfas as its interim chief executive and chief ombudsman following the departure of Caroline Wayman.

Ms Delfas will take up her new role on 17 May while the Financial Ombudsman Service’s board carries out a recruitment process for a permanent chief executive and chief ombudsman.

At the FCA Ms Delfas is currently the executive director of International and interim chief operating officer.

Until Ms Delfas takes up her appointment, Julia Cavanagh, chief financial officer at the Financial Ombudsman Service, will be acting chief executive and Garry Wilkinson, principal ombudsman and director of investigation, will be acting chief ombudsman. 

Ms Delfas, a qualified solicitor by training, has held a number of senior roles at the FCA and was in charge of the FCA’s response to Brexit. She trained and qualified at City law firm Freshfields in London.

Ms Delfas said: “I am honoured to be appointed interim chief executive and chief ombudsman of the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Financial Ombudsman Service plays an essential role in ensuring the financial system works for everyone - financial services firms, consumers and businesses."

FOS chairman Baroness Zahida Manzoor said: “I am delighted to welcome Nausicaa Delfas to the Financial Ombudsman Service as our interim chief executive and chief ombudsman; she brings a wealth of experience and a firm understanding of the environment within which we are operating and the challenges that lie ahead. 

“The service enters this financial year ready to move beyond PPI and focussed on providing a timely and efficient service to our customers. And we do so, looking ahead, albeit cautiously, to more positive times as we emerge from a global pandemic. The board, the executive team and I are looking forward to working with Nausicaa.”

Baroness Manzoor praised Caroline Wayman, who is stepping down after seven years in the CEO role, for leading the organisation through the pandemic.