LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The former head of the UKwatchdog that dealt with complaints by bank customers is joiningHSBC Holdings to head up its UK customer standards, thebank told staff on Friday.
Natalie Ceeney, who left as chief executive of the FinancialOmbudsman Service in December after four years in charge, willjoin HSBC on Monday, according to a memo sent by the bank tostaff on Friday and seen by Reuters.
The memo said she will sit on the UK Executive Committee andis tasked with improving customer service and leadership oncomplaint handling, and developing the bank's approach toconduct risk.
Ceeney was an outspoken critic of mis-selling of paymentprotection products by UK banks in her former role.
The Ombudsman Service, which steps in to settle cases wherefinancial services firms and their customers cannot reach anagreement, trebled in size under Ceeney to deal with the floodof customer complaints.
Ceeney will report to Antonio Simoes, HSBC's head of UK &Retail Banking and Wealth Management Europe. An HSBC spokesmansaid the bank did not approach Ceeney until after she resignedfrom the Ombudsman.