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28th January 2021

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TFO Conciliation Officer becomes Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Associate

Natalie Williams, Conciliation Officer for The Furniture Ombudsman (TFO) has joined her colleagues in becoming professionally qualified as an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Natalie's success demonstrates TFO's commitment to providing the highest standards of knowledge and practice in dispute resolution within the furniture and home improvement industries.

CIArb is the world's leading professional body for promoting the settlement of disputes. Through becoming an Associate, Natalie has made a public commitment to the profession of private dispute resolution and standards which are globally recognised.

Natalie began her career at The Furniture Ombudsman as an administrator in 2009 having graduated from the University of Brighton. She was promoted to the position of Conciliation Officer in February 2010 having successfully completed a course of internal training and development. She is now involved in a broad range of domestic furniture and home improvement related disputes between retailers and consumers.

She is also responsible for analysing and reporting statistics and trends and was involved in the writing of The Furniture Ombudsman's inaugural Annual Review at the end of 2010.

Speaking about her success, Natalie says: "Becoming an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - a benchmark of quality in dispute resolution - indicates our commitment to providing an independent and trusted service for disputes within the furniture and home improvement industries.

"I hope my qualification with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators reassures our members that my colleagues and I act with high levels of integrity and professionalism."

TFO currently has a pool of members which extends to approximately 2000 furniture and home improvement outlets in the UK. All of its Full Members pledge to abide by a Code of Practice which bestows additional rights on the consumers who shop with them. Most of the UK's biggest furniture and home improvement retailers pledge their support the scheme.

Established in 1992 by the Office of Fair Trading, TFO works in partnership with other organisations such as Consumer Direct and Trading Standards. It is recognised by the European Commission as a provider of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the UK and is an associate of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association. It is also affiliated with the Trading Standards Institute.

T: 0845 653 2064
E: H[email protected]
W: www.thefurnitureombudsman.org

3rd June 2011