Holyrood to nominate new public services ombudsman

The Scottish public services ombudsman’s role is to investigate complaints about most organisations providing public services in Scotland.

The ombudsman handles complaints where a member of the public claims to have suffered “injustice or hardship” as a result of “maladministration or service failure”.

Mr McFadden is expected to succeed the current ombudsman, Rosemary Agnew, who completes her eight-year term of office on 30 April 2025. He is expected to take up his post on 20 October 2025. This is a full-time, fixed term appointment for eight years and attracts a salary of £142,661.

An acting ombudsman – Andrew Crawford, currently a senior member of Ms Agnew’s team – will be appointed in the interim, for the period 1 May until 19 October 2025.