Barclays taps Morgan Stanley for European equity research head

Barclays said new hire signals the importance of research as MiFID II unbundling rules loom.

Barclays has poached Morgan Stanley’s head of European equity research as the bank prepares for MiFID II’s unbundling rules.

Rupert Jones will join Barclays in July this year and has been appointed head of European equity research. He spent 19 years with Morgan Stanley and has also worked as a qualified chartered accountant at Ernst & Young.

Barclays said throughout his time with Morgan Stanley, Jones was “very active in client dialogue around MiFID II and built a reputation for driving excellence and innovation in the division.”

Jones will report to co-head of research, Jon Scoffin and will be based in London.

In an internal memo seen by The TRADE, Scoffin explained the new hire “underlines the importance of the research franchise to Barclays, which is central to our ability to succeed in European equities.”

He added: “As we head into MiFID II, research is all the more central to the success of our overall European equities business.”

Ken Lee, the current head of European equity research, has decided to retire from Barclays in the summer this year and will pursue interests outside of banking.

He joined Barclays in 2009 when it launched its European equities business and has played a key role in building out the business since

«