Blake Stephenson has been appointed Manager, Regulation, by The Futures and Options Association (FOA), with effect from 28 November. A qualified solicitor, Stephenson was previously at the Financial Services Authority (FSA) where he was part of the exchange supervision team.

Also in a new role at the FOA is Simon Andrews, who has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Commodities. Andrews has been with the FOA for 6 years and has additional oversight of prudential regulation and taxation issues.

Both will report to Kathleen Traynor, Executive Director, Regulation, who will manage the FOA’s priorities within the regulatory area.

FOA believes that the strengthened team is recognition of the impact of the growing regulatory workload facing the exchange traded derivatives industry. FOA chief executive Anthony Belchambers said, “Whether it is analysing of the impactof MiFID/MiFIR or understanding the full implications of ESMA’s work programme, the FOA must have the capacity to help steer its members through the regulatory change agenda while sustaining industry growth and enhancing market integrity. These appointments reflect the importance of that activity.”

The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) today announced the appointment of former three-term U.S. Senator Judd A. Gregg as Chief Executive Officer of the Association and the appointment of former U.S. Representative and SIFMA Acting President & CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. as President of the Association.

NYSE Technologies, the commercial technology division of NYSE Euronext, has announced the appointment of Varghese Thomas as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Infrastructure Solutions.  

Apex Fund Services (“Apex”), one of the world’s largest independent fund administration companies, announces the appointment of David Brown as the new Managing Director of Apex’s Bermuda office. 

BNP Paribas Securities Services have announced the appointment of Julien Cuminet as Head of Asset and Fund Services (AFS) in France.  He replaces Jean Devambez, who is now Head of Global AFS Products.  

Liquidnet, the global institutional trading network, announced today two senior appointments to its London based EMEA trading team to  strengthen and develop relationships with its community of  asset management firms. 

Cofunds Holdings Ltd  and Legal & General Group Plc   have  announced that Martin Davis, Chief Executive of Cofunds has
advised them of his intention to step down and leave the company upon the completion of the acquisition of Cofunds by Legal & General.