London First appoints Muniya Barua as Corporate Affairs Director

London First, the business campaign group, has appointed Muniya Barua as its first Corporate Affairs Director. The newly created role which she will take up in September will bring together London First’s campaigns, communications, public affairs and events teams and drive London First’s profile across Whitehall and City Hall.

Barua joins London First from Newington, where she was Managing Director of Corporate Affairs. Prior to Newington, she spent seven years at the CBI, where she held the roles of Director of Corporate Communications and Head of News. She began her career as a business reporter at the Liverpool Daily Post before producing news for ITV News London, CNN and the BBC.

Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive of London First, said: “Muniya brings a wealth of experience to London First, from the front-line of news reporting to the boardrooms of business. As Brexit approaches, we have to keep policymakers focused on the need to grow the UK economy and create jobs – and that means investing in talent, housing and infrastructure. There are huge challenges ahead but Muniya will help ensure that London’s voice is clearly heard.”

Muniya Barua said: “I’m delighted to be joining London First at this critical time for the capital. I’m looking forward to working with Jasmine and the team to ensure the voice of our members is heard on the issues that matter to the long-term prosperity of the capital and for the whole of the country.”

London First is strengthening its communications function as it campaigns to secure continued access to talent and the investment in housing and transport the capital needs.

Marilise Saghbini, currently Executive Director, Communications, at the business group, has stepped up to become Deputy Corporate Affairs Director. Emma Hutchinson, currently Head of Media Relations, has been promoted to Programme Director, Communications.

London First campaigns to keep London the best city in the world to do business and delivering for the whole of the UK. It represents over 200 leading employers, including Starbucks, Lloyds Banking Group, Airbnb, Berkeley Homes, PwC and Canary Wharf Group.