25/03/2009
The Scottish Parliament will be asked to approve the nomination of Jim Martin as the new Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
Mr Martin’s nomination, to be agreed by Parliament on Wednesday 25 March, follows an open recruitment process to find a successor to Professor Alice Brown, who is stepping down from the role.
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman is responsible for investigating complaints against public sector organisations in Scotland including local councils, the National Health Service, housing associations, the Scottish Government and higher and further education establishments.
The Ombudsman investigates complaints where a member of the public claims to have suffered injustice or hardship as a result of maladministration or service failure on behalf of the public authority. He or she also has a role to play in improving public services in Scotland and promoting good complaints handling.
The Parliament will be invited to agree Mr Martin’s nomination before the recommendation goes to Her Majesty the Queen for formal appointment. The appointment process reflects the independence of the Ombudsman's post from both the Parliament and Scottish Government.
Biographical information
Jim Martin is currently the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland, which was set up and established in 2007.
Mr Martin is also the Scottish non-executive chairman of Logica CMG and runs a management consultancy.
He was General Secretary for the Educational Institute of Scotland from 1987 until 1995 and serves as a member of the Scottish Funding Council.
Mr Martin will cease his current positions on taking on the full-time role of Ombudsman. The starting salary for the position is £83,000.