New openings at the FSA

The FSA's proposal yesterday to widen retail investors' access to hedge funds, coincided with the announcement of several job opportunities at the regulator.

One is in the Financial Services Authority's new hedge fund supervision team. Formed at the end of October 2005, the team was set up to create a centre of hedge fund expertise at the FSA and comprises one manager and four associates. The regulator is looking to add another associate with at least 18 months' exposure to the hedge fund industry.

The FSA is also looking to add to junior staff to its wholesale financial services division, and banking sector team, which analyses the risks associated with wholesale and retail banks. "The team is looking to expand its capabilities to get a better understanding of the risks the banking sector faces," says spokeswoman Eleanor Hughes.

She says the FSA plans to take on between 50 and 60 graduates this year (up from a flat 50 last year), and 44 summer interns. The deadlines for internship and graduate applications have passed.