(Bloomberg) — Jes Staley’s legal challenge against his ban from the UK finance industry is bringing in some of the most prominent figures in the City of London, with the former Barclays Plc boss set to argue that the way he handled his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein didn’t break regulators’ rules. Here are some of the key people due to appear at the hearings.
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Jes Staley
Role then: CEO of BarclaysRole now: None
Once seen as an heir to Jamie Dimon at JPMorgan Chase & Co., Staley, 68, joined Barclays in 2015 with a mandate to turn the bank around, particularly its investment bank. He will face questions about what assurances he gave to Barclays about the nature of his relationship with Epstein when he joined, and what he said after his former friend’s arrest and subsequent death in a New York jail.
Nigel Higgins
Role then: Chairman of BarclaysRole now: Chairman of Barclays
Higgins has chaired Barclays since 2019, after a career that included being the first non-family member to run the British arm of the Rothschild banking empire. He backed Staley as CEO even as more details emerged about his ties to Epstein. He will be a key witness to the talks between the bank and regulators over how Staley’s relationship with Epstein was explained to the authorities.
Sasha Wiggins
Role then: Group chief of staff at BarclaysRole now: CEO of private bank and wealth management at Barclays
As Jes Staley’s chief of staff from 2018, Wiggins was involved in helping draft Barclays’ response to questions from the UK authorities about the CEO’s relationship with Epstein. Wiggins suggested amendments to the letter that was eventually sent to the regulator.
Stephen Doherty
Role then: Group head of corporate relations at Barclays Role now: Chief brand and corporate affairs officer at Aviva
Doherty served under several CEOs during his eight years at the bank. Staley gave him assurances on joining Barclays about the nature of his links to Epstein, as well as promising to break all ties with the late pedophile financier on taking the job.
Bob Hoyt
Role then: Group general counsel at BarclaysRole now: Group chief legal officer at HSBC
A veteran financial services industry lawyer, Hoyt oversaw the drafting of the letter, which is now at the center of the British regulator’s complaint that Staley did not give a full account of his links to Epstein.
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