The Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) has appointed a new chairman, and is seeking new directors.
OBSI announced Thursday that its board has named Fernand Bélisle to replace Dr. Peggy-Anne Brown as chair of the embattled ombudservice, in September.
Bélisle comes from the similarly contentious communications industry. He was vice chairman, broadcasting, at the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), among other senior executive posts at the CRTC. He is also currently a director of CORUS Entertainment Inc., RNC Media Inc., and chair of Xittel Télécommunications Inc, and was trustee of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters during its restructuring.
Additionally, OBSI is in the midst of reforming its governance model, in response to an independent review published last fall that recommended sweeping changes at the organization. It says its board will soon reveal the planned changes to its governance framework, including the process for director selection and appointment.
In the meantime, a search has begun to identify new public directors for appointment at its upcoming annual general meeting. It is seeking expressions of interest from applicants willing to commit to a minimum of five scheduled board meetings per year (usually lasting one full day) and other board or committee meetings as required. It’s looking for directors with experience in a number of areas, including: the financial industry; consumer and investor issues; dispute resolution; financial literacy; and, regulation, among other things.
Directors must meet several criteria for independence, including not working in or being materially dependent on the financial industry within the last two years. Applications are due by July 31.