Three directors join The Property Ombudsman Board

Carlos is a Non-Executive Director, consultant and senior executive with more than 32 years’ experience in business development, IT and people. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director of the Society of Mortgage Professionals, having previously served as Chair. Carlos is a Trustee and Chair of the Investment and Sustainability Committee of St Martin of Tours Housing Association and a Director at Catch Technology Group. Previously, he has held several senior roles in financial services and technology and served on various committees, including strategy, technology, regulatory and business consolidation. He has also served as a Non-Executive Director on various Legal & General subsidiaries including Alliance and Leicester Life Assurance Company and held several senior Legal & General roles including estate agency, financial services, housing and distribution. 

Jennifer is a solicitor with senior operational leadership experience across dispute resolution, Ombudsman casework, and public sector services. She has proven expertise in stakeholder engagement and strategic transformation through her roles as Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Casework) at the Pensions Ombudsman and Head of Dispute Resolution at the Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS). Jennifer had earlier served as the HOS's Head of Dispute Support, Dispute Resolution Manager and Adjudicator. Before that, she was Senior Estate Manager at the London Borough of Wandsworth and a volunteer legal assistant at anti-poverty charity Z2K and as an adjudicator at the Financial Ombudsman. Jennifer earned a Professional Certificate in Ombudsman and Complaint Handling Practice at Queen Margaret University in 2014. 

Zahir is an experienced property professional and business leader with a strong track record across the private and public sectors. He established and successfully ran a lettings agency for over 20 years, managing substantial property portfolios including large residential blocks in both the East Midlands and London. Following the sale of the business, Zahir founded and now leads a private equity fund with a focus on development projects and the care sector, bringing expertise in investment strategy, asset management, and organisational growth. He also has extensive governance experience. He is currently a Board Member of the Attenborough Learning Trust, where he has supported the Trust’s expansion to nine schools with more than 300 staff. Previous non-executive roles include serving as an Audit Committee Member at Sanctuary Housing Group and as a Non-Executive Board Member at ASRA Midlands Housing Association. 

As Non-Executive Directors, they will provide strategic insight and advice to support the Board to achieve its responsibilities. 

Chair of the Board, Claire Bassett, said: “I am delighted to welcome Carlos, Jennifer and Zahir to the Board. They join us at an exciting time as we continue to focus on improving the service that both consumers and businesses receive. They have extensive experience across the property, business and Ombudsman landscapes which will be invaluable to TPO’s work."