Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) has strengthened its financial services regulatory team with the hire of a lawyer from the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) enforcement division.

Emily Benson has joined the firm as an associate director, one level below partner, and reports to financial services regulatory head Ian Mason.

Mason, who joined BLG in January 2006 after a spell as head of enforcement at the FSA, said he spent at least three years working alongside Benson at the regulator.

“Emily worked in the legal review team at the FSA and more recently was working on market abuse cases,” he said. “She will be helping us advise firms and individuals that are under FSA investigation.”

Benson’s main area of expertise is the insurance sector, having worked in the legal department of Norwich Union before joining the FSA. During her time at the FSA she conducted a number of referrals in the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal and oversaw enforcement proceedings in the High Court, including the inauguration of the FSA’s insolvency powers.