The FOA Grows Regulatory Team

The Futures and Options Association (FOA), the London-based industry association primarily responsible for governing the European derivatives markets, has appointed Blake Stephenson as manager, regulation, with effect from 28 November.

Blake joins the FOA from the UK's Financial Services Authority (FSA) where he was part of the exchange supervision team. He is also a qualified solicitor.

The Association has also announced that Simon Andrews has been promoted to director of commodities, a new role which will see him head-up the FOA's increased activities in this sector.

Andrews has been with the FOA for six years and has additional oversight of prudential regulation and taxation issues. Both Stephenson and Andrews report to Kathleen Traynor, executive director, regulation, who manages the FOA's priorities within the regulatory area.

The formation of the strengthened team is recognition of the impact of the growing regulatory workload facing the exchange-traded derivatives industry, according to the FOA.