New Zealand's Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman, Karen Stevens, has been elected Chair of the International Network of Financial Services Ombudsman Schemes (INFO Network).

Karen will take over the role in December 2017 for two years.

The INFO Network is the worldwide association for financial services ombudsmen—independent and impartial out-of-court bodies that resolve complaints brought by consumers (and, in some cases, small businesses) against banks, insurers and/or other financial services providers.

At October 2017, the INFO Network has 61 member schemes from 38 countries across four regions.