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BIOA accepts The Furniture Ombudsman

The Furniture Ombudsman has become a corporate associate member of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association (BIOA).

Set up in 1991, the BIOA is the voluntary association for ombudsman schemes in the UK and Ireland, and has a varied remit:

• Provides information for the public about ombudsman and complaint handling schemes online 
• Acts as a focal point for ombudsman schemes, complaint handling bodies and other members of the Association to seek and exchange information
• Provides advice to organisations considering the establishment of ombudsman services, and publishes information for its members 
• Convenes working groups to consider issues of concern to members of the Association
• Holds a two-day residential conference every two years for members of the Association and others, with plenary sessions and workshops on topical issues relevant to the work of ombudsmen, complaint handling bodies, and others with an interest in complaint handling
• Holds regular meetings of those concerned with the general management of ombudsman and complaint-handling schemes to exchange views and experiences
• Organises biannual training seminars on current issues
• Liaises with central government through the Cabinet Office, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Ministry of Justice and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Corporate associate membership is for any organisation which, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, is interested in and supports the objects of the Association and has significant relevant expertise in complaint handling.

Rhianwen Roberts, Head of Service of The Furniture Ombudsman, said: "This is great news for our members and the furniture buying public. We can now tap in to the expertise of the BIOA, share experiences, benefit from new ideas and ultimately improve the levels of service we offer in terms of independent inspection, conciliation, and alternative dispute resolution". 

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