Newington has hired Muniya Barua to spearhead the growth of its corporate affairs offer.

Barua joins the fast-growing public and corporate affairs consultancy after seven years at the UK’s biggest lobby group, the CBI, where she held the roles of Director of Corporate Communications and Head of News.

Barua joins Newington as Director of Corporate Affairs. She will lead the corporate affairs team and sit on the senior management team, working alongside Chief Executive Mark Glover and Managing Directors, Phil Briscoe and Naomi Harris.

Glover said: “In the last decade we have built Newington into the UK’s fifth biggest public affairs consultancy - from starting out with two consultants in South London we are now a team of 45 spanning the UK and with a growing presence in Brussels. I’m delighted Muniya is joining us to lead the growth of our burgeoning corporate affairs offer so that we can provide clients with a truly integrated service at a local, national and European level. She brings a wealth of experience from her time at the CBI where she led its media, digital, sponsorship and marketing arms, as well as a background in print and broadcast journalism.”

Barua began her career as a business reporter at the Liverpool Daily Post, and has produced news bulletins for London Today and London Tonight, as well as business and economics news for CNN and the BBC. Barua said: “I’m delighted to be joining Newington as it enters its next exciting stage of growth. It’s a company with great people, strong values and clear ambition. I’m looking forward to working with the Newington team in supporting and advising existing and future clients in achieving their strategic communications goals.”

Earlier this week Newington announced a formal partnership with Italy’s largest PR firm, AIM-listed SEC Group which will enable it grow its European foothold.

Barua takes over the role from Natasha Graham who is leaving in October. Glover added: “Natasha has done a fantastic job over the last four years and made an enormous contribution to the success of the business. We wish her all the best in her next move.”