City corporate affairs role for French

Giles French has been brought in as deputy director of comms and is responsible for the public affairs programme, internal communications, stakeholder events and management of the corporate database.

‘The City plays an essential part in the success of "UK plc" and this is underpinned by the excellent services and international promotional work done by the City of London Corporation,' said French. ‘We operate in a complex environment and the events and public affairs work here is wide-ranging, challenging and rewarding.'

French reports into ­comms ­director Tony Halmos.

Last month the City of London celebrated 25 years of its Barbican Centre with a gala concert attended by the Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. The Barbican arts centre is provided by the Corporation as part of its contribution to the cultural life of the nation.The Corporation also waded into a debate last month concerning the future of feral parakeets on Hampstead Heath. A Government plan to assess the threat of non-native species prompted anger from animal-rights campaigners. The Corporation said it was ‘monitoring the situation'.

French's role at The Crown Estate is expected to be filled shortly.