Rebecca Hilsenrath has been appointed interim Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Rebecca’s appointment follows the departure of Rob Behrens whose seven-year tenure ended in March 2023.

Rebecca has been CEO of PHSO since June 2023 and before that was the Director of Strategy.

Gill Kilpatrick, who is currently PHSO’s Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO, has been promoted to interim CEO following nine years at the organisation.

Rebecca said:

“I am immensely humbled and honoured to be selected as interim Ombudsman. My predecessor, Rob, has left an extraordinary legacy of passion for public justice, dedication to improving public service and driving transformation within PHSO itself.

“It is a privilege to build on the work that has already been done. Alongside Gill’s appointment as CEO, and with Karl Banister as the Deputy Ombudsman, we have a strengthened leadership team with the appointment of a new Director of Strategy and a Chief Digital Information Officer to achieve our ambition of being a leading Ombudsman Service. We all look forward to continue delivering a service that helps those who have been let down by public services access the justice they deserve.”