After years of calls from consumer interests to make its services more accessible by adopting a more recognisable name, Insurance Enquiries and Complaints Ltd (IEC) has changed its name to the Insurance Ombudsman Service.

IEC CEO Sam Parrino has been appointed Insurance Ombudsman. He will remain responsible for the ongoing management of the entire service.

The decision to change the name of the group, which had been a hot topic for at least the past five years – and had been opposed by some interests in the insurance industry – was taken at a recent extraordinary general meeting.

Mr Parrino says the change of name would not alter the emphasis of the service. “There is no change to either the decision-making processes or the jurisdictions of the various decision-makers,” he said. “The tripartite panel will continue to focus on the more important and complex matters referred for resolution.”

Long-serving IEC Chairman Peter Daly will continue in the role, and the service will be officially launched early next year.