‘Sexist’ banker makes comeback bid

THE banker forced to quit a top lobbying role over sexist comments about Newcastle-united owner Amanda Staveley has re-emerged at challenger bank Pennyworth Financial.

Former Barclays banker Stephen Jones has been appointed chairman of the start-up two years after he was ousted from UK Finance for describing Ms Staveley as “thick as s---” and commenting on the size of her breasts.

Mr Jones’ comments, made during a phone call to a colleague, emerged during a court battle over Ms Staveley’s role securing Middle Eastern investors for Barclays’ equity raise during the 2008 financial crisis.

He apologised for his comments about Ms Staveley and stepped down as the head of banking lobby group UK Finance. Mr Jones admitted at the time that his comments were “wholly inappropriate”.

Last year he revealed he had been rejected from three bank boards because other directors felt he was “too risky to take on”.

Pennyworth Financial, set up by two former Barclays bankers, has brought in Mr Jones as an adviser as it looks to become a challenger bank. Mr Jones is also deputy chairman of Onebanks, a start-up behind banking kiosks.