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28th January 2021

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Member of The Furniture Ombudsman Standards Board becomes Fellow of the Trading Standards Institute

The Furniture Ombudsman is proud to announce that Standards Board Member, Jim Potts, has been admitted as a Fellow of the Trading Standards Institute.

Jim is the former Head of Trading Standards for Lancashire County Council and has worked with the Trading Standards Institute for over 40 years. He was admitted as a Fellow at its recent conference, in recognition of his services to the Trading Standards profession.

"I am very proud of the work Trading Standards does in protecting consumers and supporting fair and honest businesses and the organisations that support them, such as the Furniture Ombudsman," says Jim.

Jim plays a key role in supporting consumer confidence through his role with the Standards Board, a panel which regulates the TFO's work. In this role, he ensures that TFO demonstrate openness, integrity and independence in all aspects of its work.

"The service provided by The Furniture Ombudsman is second to none," says Jim. "If I had a choice of buying from a TFO member or a non-member I would choose the member."

Jim was featured in a four minute film played on screens throughout the Trading Standards Institute conference, in which he spoke about the services provided by TFO, his involvement and his recognition of how the body is driving quality standards within the furniture trade.

Kevin Grix, Head of TFO says: "We are very proud to have Jim as a member of our board. Jim has a wealth of experience in dealing with Trading Standards enforcement, consumer law and dealing with consumer complaints and problems regarding furniture and we are very grateful of the insight and knowledge he shares with us."

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.

TFO was established in 1992 by the Office of Fair Trading and 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.

T: +44 (0)1438 777792
E: [email protected]
W: www.thefurnitureombudsman.org

22nd July 2011