The National marks successful relaunch and London expansion

Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi spoke of how far the publication has come in the short time since it was relaunched at the start of July

A host of diplomats, journalists and media professionals also attended the event held on Thursday. All pictures Stephen Lock for The National

Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi explained how The National will aim to focus its coverage on the political, economic and social developments of the region and beyond.

London Bureau Chief Damien McElroy spoke about the work his team is doing.

The National took over part of the Victoria and Albert Museum for the evening's events.

The National's features editor Clare Dight and Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi.

Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi with author, journalist and contributor to The National Tim Marshall.

The National's London Bureau Chief Damien McElroy.

Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi shared her vision of the news title with those who attended the event.

Guests were invited to mark the relaunch of The National.

Mustafa Alrawi, The National's Assistant Editor-in-Chief.

The event was held at the famous Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi with Dr Salih Husain Ali, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the UK, Khaled Al-Duwaisan, Kuwait's Ambassador to the UK and Dean of Diplomatic Corps in the U.K, and Iraqi diplomat Hashem Bahr Al Olom.

Since the relaunch at the start of July, The National has seen digital traffic grow by 40 per cent.

The National, the UAE's leading English-language news title, has marked its acclaimed relaunch and expansion into London with a reception at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The event was attended by, among others: Sulaiman Almazroui, the UAE Ambassador to the UK; former British prime minister Tony Blair; Khaled Al-Duwaisan, Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UK; and Katherine Garrett-Cox, managing director and chief executive of Gulf International Bank (UK).

A host of diplomats, journalists and media professionals also attended the event on Thursday.

Guests heard recently appointed Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi highlight the dramatic changes at The National.

They included a new owner (International Media Investments), a move to a state-of-the-art multimedia newsroom in Abu Dhabi, an expanded editorial team with key digital appointments, and the opening of a London bureau of six journalists led by former Sunday Times executive Damien McElroy.

Since the relaunch at the start of July, The National has experienced digital traffic growth of 40 per cent, increased its video production by 200 per cent, and won plaudits for its redesigned newspaper and the quality of its coverage of the UAE and the region.

At a time when the Middle East has never been more closely scrutinised, The National aims to focus its coverage on the political, economic and social developments of the region and beyond.