Commerce Commission director of competition Deborah Battell has been appointed the new banking ombudsman.

Ms Battell takes up the position on July 21. She replaces Liz Brown, who is retiring after a 14-year tenure.

Ms Battell previously held the director of fair trading role at the Commerce Commission and has worked for KPMG as a strategic management consultant, in planning and development for Radio New Zealand and as a senior researcher at the former Broadcasting Corporation.