Profile: Who is Leon Emirali?

Overview

Leon Victor Emirali is a former Chief of Staff to Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, when Barclay was Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Before working in Westminster, Emirali founded an early social media marketing consultancy at university and latterly went on to co-found a digital communications agency. He sold his shareholding in the business in 2019 before entering politics.

How old is Leon Emirali?

Leon Emirali was born on 4th January 1991.

Where is Leon Emirali from?

Emirali grew up in Bedfordshire and was born in Luton. He attended Robert Bloomfield Middle School and Harlington Upper School.

His maternal grandparents arrived in England from Ukraine and Northern Ireland and his paternal grandparents were immigrants from Northern Cyprus, arriving in the 1960s. He lives in Bedfordshire with his wife, Dr Liza Emirali, a toxicologist at the University of Cambridge and their daughter. The couple married in 2021.

Leon Emirali career

Emirali graduated from Coventry University in 2012. After graduating he began his career at PLMR, a leading Westminster-based communications consultancy.

In 2016, Emirali co-founded a digital marketing agency and was named in PR Week’s ’30 under 30′ during this period. Emirali was also an external adviser to Theresa May’s Number 10 operation, consulting on the Prime Minister’s digital strategy. After leading the business to year-on-year growth, he sold his shareholding and exited the company in 2019.

Leon Emirali speaking at an event in the Palace of Westminster

Emirali was appointed Chief of Staff to Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP in 2019 under Boris Johnson’s government. During this period, Emirali was a key adviser to Barclay as he negotiated the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, navigated the economic fall-out of COVID-19 and during the 2019 General Election.

After leaving Westminster, Emirali founded a consultancy advising innovative businesses and CEOs, including leaders from Aston Martin, easyJet and Virgin Galactic.

Today, he operates businesses in artificial intelligence and communications and is an adviser to the advertising agency, M+C Saatchi and political consultancy, PLMR.

Leon Emirali in the media

Emirali has regular slots commentating on politics and current affairs with Good Morning Britain, BBC News and Sky News. Emirali has also written columns for a number of publications, including The Times, The Telegraph, City AM and The i.