Leon Emirali is a PR adviser and reputation management specialist, who was a former Chief of Staff to Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP. Emirali also advised Theresa May’s Downing Street team during her time as Prime Minister.

Today, Emirali is a broadcaster, PR adviser and reputation and crisis communications specialist, advising global CEOs who have led the likes of Aston Martin, Virgin Galactic and easyJet.

Emirali has also delivered media training services to ministers serving the current Labour Party government.

Early Life 

Emirali was born in Bedfordshire, where he currently lives. He attended Harlington Upper School, before studying at Coventry University.

Emirali also studied at Zhejiang University of Media and Communication in China.

Business career

Whilst at university, Emirali founded an early social media agency, which was later acquired.

In 2017, Emirali co-founded a communications agency, during which period he was named in PR Week’s ’30 under 30′.

His shareholding in the business was acquired in 2019.

Political career

In 2018, Emirali provided early AI advice to Prime Minister Theresa May, suggesting that her government uses AI technologies to campaign and communicate with voters.

After exiting his business in 2019, Emirali was appointed to work alongside Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, when Barclay was Brexit Secretary in the Johnson government.

This covered an eventful period in Westminster, which included the 2019 general election, Brexit and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emirali continued to work alongside Barclay when he was made Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2020.

Media career

Emirali is a regular broadcaster for ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Sky News and BBC News.

Emirali has also written columns for The Times, The Telegraph, City AM and The i Paper.