Jane Pires receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Published on 28 August 2023

The SOCAP Australia Industry Excellence Awards recognise excellence within the consumer affairs, complaint management and customer service industry, with the Lifetime Achievement Award recognising an individual who has made a significant contribution to the industry throughout their career.

Jane was recognised for her service to complaints management and consumer affairs in front of guests and peers from Australia’s leading association for consumer affairs professionals.

Jane has worked in customer service and complaint management for more than 30 years with extensive senior executive experience in dispute resolution, mediation and conciliation. Jane has lead change in customer relations at Suncorp for more than 20 years and now plays a pivotal role as Energy and Water Ombudsman for Queensland, working to achieve fair, independent outcomes for energy and water customers and providers since 2016.

The Lifetime Achievement Award follows Jane being awarded the Australian Standards Meritorious Contribution Award (National) in 2022 for her work leading the charge in reviewing, updating, and developing standards that make use of international best-practice, new technology and help to improve overall access standards and fair and reasonable outcomes for customers, particularly the Australian Standard – Guidelines for complaint management in organisations AS 10002: 2022. Jane also holds the roles of Chair of the Standards Australia QR-015 committee and Australian representative on the committee for International Standard ISO 10002: 2018.

‘I am honoured to receive this award and acknowledge the support of my colleagues and peers who share a part of this achievement for the incredible work they do and the guidance they willingly provide,’ said Jane.

‘I believe in working collaboratively with our industry, our customers and our business community to improve outcomes for everyone when it comes to complaints and I hope that we can continue to share our stories and champion for positive change.’

SOCAP Australia President Mel Lawrie congratulated Jane on receiving the award.

‘Jane is an instrumental figure in the consumer affairs and the complaints management industry in Australia and globally through a distinguished career which has seen her outcomes include fair, safe and responsible customer affairs service across Australia.

‘Jane’s passion is, and has always been about supporting organisations understand the real value of complaints and complaints data to improve business and customer outcomes, and understanding of reputational risk and the importance of effective relationships with regulators, consumer advocates, and consumers.

‘The Lifetime Achievement Award is a tremendous acknowledgement of Jane’s invaluable contribution to consumer affairs and dispute resolution, working to benefit consumers across Australia.’

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