The Waterways Ombudsman Committee has announced the appointment of the new Waterways Ombudsman.

The new Ombudsman will be Sarah Daniel. Sarah, who is an experienced ombudsman and civil servant, was appointed by the Committee following an open competition.

Commenting on her appointment, Sarah said: “I am thrilled to become the Waterways Ombudsman. The role allows me the opportunity to get back to the process of investigating complaints and to provide the whole package to the end user. I am keen to get started and grateful to Andrew for his support in the changeover period.”

Kevin Fitzgerald CMG, who has recently taken over the role of Chair of the Waterways Ombudsman Committee from Steve Harriott said: “We are pleased to have Sarah on board. Her experience and enthusiasm for the ombudsman philosophy of aiming to eradicate complaints by continuous feedback accords with the view of the committee.  We thank Andrew for his years of dedicated service and wish him well in his retirement.”

Sarah takes over at the end of July when Andrew Walker, who has been in post for almost seven years, retires.  Contact details for the Waterways Ombudsman remain the same, visit: www.waterways-ombudsman.org.

The Waterways Ombudsman Committee oversees the running of the Waterways Ombudsman Scheme (including having the responsibility for recruitment and appointment of the Waterways Ombudsman), of which the Canal & River Trust is a member.

NABO met with Andrew Walker several times over his tenure, and we will now seek a meeting(s) with Sarah.