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

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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.