Maurice Healy, chairman of the Insurance Ombudsman Bureau council was rewarded with an OBE for services to consumers in the New Year's Honours.
Healy has been chairman of the council since 1996 and a member since 1991. He was previously director of the National Consumer Council and editor of the Consumers Association's Which? magazine.
Healy said: “I am obviously very pleased. I think it is a compliment in part to the work the IOB has been doing.”
Healy said there had been a “good and fruitful relationship” between the insurance industry and the ombudsman.