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

Guests heard the recently appointed Editor-in-Chief, Mina Al-Oraibi, highlight the dramatic changes at The National; 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 seen digital traffic grow by 40 percent, increased video production by 200 percent, and won plaudits for its redesigned newspaper product and the quality of its coverage of the UAE and the region beyond.

The event, held last Thursday, was attended by Sulaiman Hamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Khaled Al-Duwaisan, Kuwait's Ambassador to the UK, Dean of Diplomatic Corps in the UK, Katherine Garrett-Cox, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf International Bank UK, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, along with host of diplomats, journalists and media professionals.

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.