The Board of London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s international promotional agency, today announced that following an extensive international search, Laura Citron has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Her appointment has been approved by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and she will formally take up her role today (2 May).
Laura joins London & Partners from WPP where she served as Managing Director of the Government and Public Sector practice, leading hubs in London, Beirut, Nairobi, Brussels, Singapore and Sydney.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, said: “As London and the rest of the United Kingdom enters such a significant period in our history, it has never been more important that we continue to tell the world that London is Open, that our city is the business capital of the world, and that we welcome people from all over the globe. I believe that Laura is well placed to help me tell London’s story and cement our standing as the world’s only truly global city.”
Previously Laura, who is a Londoner fluent in French and Russian, has held roles at WPP in London and Moscow and also spent a number of years working as a public servant in London and Brussels. London & Partners plays an important role in promoting the city around the world for higher education, foreign direct investment, business and leisure tourism, and major sporting and cultural events.
Laura Citron added:
“There has never been a more crucial time to make sure London continues to be the greatest city in which to invest, study and visit. As a Londoner I can’t think of a better job than promoting the city I love and I am looking forward to working with the Mayor of London and my new team at London & Partners.”
Since 2011, London & Partners has:
• Attracted investment and spend worth over £1.5bn, which has created or secured more than 44,000 additional jobs in London
• Retained London’s position as a top destination for foreign direct investment and a leading destination for international students
• Raised London’s ranking as a destination for international congresses from 19th to 5th with London now ranking 2nd for congress delegate numbers
• Secured London’s position as Europe’s most popular visitor destination, with overseas tourism numbers growing to 18.6 million in 2015 (up 26 per cent from 2010-2015) and overseas visitor spend reaching over £11 billion (up 36 per cent since 2010 – 2015).
Laura joins London & Partners as the company prepares to deliver London Technology Week in June and celebrate London’s Autumn Season of Culture in August.
