GFI Group and BGC Partners, the rival brokerage firms, have swapped two desk heads. Robert Bou-Simon, former head cross-currency basis swaps at BGC in London has resigned for GFI. Vijay Angelo, a broker in interest rate swaps at GFI, will join BGC.

Derivative market source said the agreement appeared to be amicable, unusually for the brokerage industry, which has been beset by high-profile legal battles over staff poaching this year.