Barclays Has Staley In Sights For Chief Exec

Barclays could name US hedge fund boss Jes Staley as its new chief executive as early as today.

Mr Staley, a former banker at JP Morgan, is understood to be the preferred candidate to succeed Antony Jenkins, who was fired in June amid a row over the future direction at Barclays.

This is not the first time that Mr Staley has been in the bank's sights for the top job.

Sky News reported three years ago how he was on course to replace Bob Diamond but was later rebuffed.

The search for Mr Jenkins' replacement has been led by executive chairman John McFarlane, who told a gathering of senior executives last week he was close to appointing a successor.

One person who attended the briefing - which followed a similar event in New York ten days ago - told Sky News they were surprised by his openness about the search.

"He must be very confident of announcing the new CEO very soon to have spoken so candidly about it," the source said.

A swift appointment of a new chief executive would please regulators, who expressed concern over the simultaneous elevation of Mr McFarlane in July and the announcement that deputy chairman Sir Mike Rake planned to resign from the bank's board.

Sky News revealed last week that Barclays was lining up Sir Gerry Grimstone, a former privatisation adviser to Margaret Thatcher, as a non-executive director.

If the plans come to fruition, Sir Gerry would become Barclays' deputy chairman and senior independent director when Sir Mike steps down next year.

Sir Gerry would bring a heavyweight presence to the Barclays boardroom at a time when many shareholders remain unconvinced by the bank's strategy or the pace at which it is being implemented.

Returns at its investment bank have been frustratingly lacklustre for investors, with Mr McFarlane promising to take a robust approach to improving performance across all areas of the business.