Richard Sills

Principal Ombudsman

Richard Sills graduated from Birmingham University with a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemistry before joining the UK Atomic Energy Authority and transferring to British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL).  He worked in all of the principal areas of the company's business, including as General Manager of an advanced ceramics company, eventually becoming Senior Vice President of BNFL Inc. in Washington DC.

On leaving BNFL, he worked for a small radioactive waste handling company and also as a freelance consultant in energy and the environment.

In 1996, he was appointed as the first Chief Executive of Entrust, the regulator of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, and joined the Telecommunications Ombudsman Service in 2002 as Project Manager, for assisting the Council and Ombudsman in setting up the organisation.  He was appointed as Director of Operations for the Service, becoming Principal Ombudsman in July 2006.

Richard is a non-executive director of Networking for Industry, a not-for-profit company which helps coordinate several Parliamentary/Industry groups, including waste management, health, design and manufacturing 

Ian Smith

Principal Ombudsman

He is responsible for making the Final Decision in complaints about Energy Suppliers. Ian is a solicitor and has completed terms in Local Government in roles as Chief Executive of Clackmannan District Council, Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council. He has a wide experience of the service provided by Reporters and Children's Panels and their relationship with social work, education and health services, police and the criminal justice system. Formerly the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland, Ian was appointed Convenor of the Water Customer Consultation Panels in October 2002 for a three year term. In addition he was appointed Convenor of Waterwatch Scotland by Scottish Ministers in October 2005, again for a three year term.

Ian is a Governor of Glasgow Caledonian University, a member of the Appointments Committee of the General Dental Council and a Board Member for the administration of the Scottish Children's Reporter. Ian also undertakes investigations for Local Authorities and Non Departmental Public Bodies on governance, disciplinary and service failure and has acted as an external assessor in the appointment of senior managers in public administration and higher education in Scotland.

 Richard Brown

Chief Operating Officer

Richard is the Company Secretary and was the Director of Finance and Administration. He is a qualified accountant with a broad range of commercial and public sector experience and was formerly Finance Director with North & Mid Cheshire TEC.  Richard was the project manager responsible for setting up the Energy Supply Ombudsman with the Energy Retail Association and is now the Chief Operating Officer with the responsibility for the way the service is provided on a day-to-day basis.