Tuesday newspaper round-up: Barclays, Royal Dutch Shell, Santander

Barclays has chosen a veteran American banker as its new chief executive, signalling a dramatic shift back to its controversial investment bank. Jes Staley, 58, a former JP Morgan banker, is set to be appointed in the next two weeks, subject to regulatory approval. The appointment is likely to spark criticism from politicians and shareholders, who want to see a continued crackdown on excessive pay and poor returns at the bank. - The Times

Royal Dutch Shell is selling two assets in the North Sea as the big energy companies respond to high production costs and a slump in crude prices by turning their backs on the basin. Shell’s stake in the Gannet field, a complex of ageing oil production platforms and pipelines 110 miles east of Aberdeen, is being marketed to potential buyers, according to industry sources. - The Times

Santander is planning to defy rules intended to make banks safer by insisting that much of the power over its British business should remain in Madrid. The bank, the fifth-biggest in Britain, is planning to ask regulators for several waivers to UK ringfencing rules that will come into force in 2019. - The Times

The coke ovens and blast furnace at the steelworks in Redcar are to close for good – with the loss of more than 2,000 jobs on Teesside. The plant has been in the hands of the receivers since its owner SSI UK was wound up earlier this month. The ovens were kept burning over the weekend in the hope of securing a future for the works. But the official receiver, Ken Beasley, has now said there is ‘no realistic prospect of a buyer being found’. - Daily Mail

The delivery firm Yodel is creating nearly 7,000 jobs in the runup to the festive season. About 800 directly employed drivers will be taken on, as well as 3,000 owner-drivers and 3,000 self-employed couriers who will deliver and collect smaller parcels. Yodel said many of the jobs would become permanent after Christmas amid an increase in parcel deliveries. - Guardian