Futures and Options Association (FOA) CEO Anthony Belchambers is to step down after 20 years. Simon Puleston Jones, a derivatives lawyer working for Barclays, will replace him.
He will take over the role on 10 March, replacing Belchambers, who will stay on as a special advisor to the board.
Belchambers founded the FOA in 1993 and has led the association since. In a statement today, he said: “I feel very privileged to have led the FOA through the establishment of a single European financial services market and, more recently, a period of unprecedented regulatory change. I am confident that the affiliation with the Futures Industry Association (FIA), along with enhanced resources, the high quality of our staff and a strong value-for-money ethos means that FOA is well placed to handle the challenges of the future.”
Puleston Jones is currently head of European legal coverage for futures and OTC clearing at Barclays and has played a lead role in helping the bank deal with regulatory change. Prior to taking responsibility for legal coverage of the futures business in 2007, He held a number of roles in structure credit and fixed income.
Prior to joining Barclays he spent seven years in the capital markets group at law firm Simmons & Simmons.
Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am delighted to be joining the FOA. Anthony has developed an outstanding legacy, which stands as a testament to his enduring passion for the industry and his professionalism over the years.
“In coordination with Walt Lukken and all at the FIA, I look to forward to working with Anthony in his new role, the members, the staff and the Board of the FOA to deliver my vision for the FOA to provide relevant and influential thought leadership, as the voice of the cleared derivatives industry.”
In July 2013, the FOA and FIA approved combining their membership under a single global structure, FIA Global, to strengthen their influence on cross-border issues that have become a key theme of derivatives regulation.
FOA members consist primarily of sell-side businesses, including investment banks, brokers and clearing houses. It is particularly focused on exchange-traded derivatives.