An India-born entrepreneur picked recently as deputy mayor by London mayor Sadiq Khan today also took over as chair of the mayor's official promotional company.
Rajesh Agrawal's remit in his new role at London & Partners (L&P) will be to help drive tourists, events, inward investment and international students to the British capital.
"I look forward to leading the London & Partners board to build on the company's successful work in promoting London as a leading destination for inward investment, tourism, higher education and culture," Agrawal said.
"Having moved to London to set-up my own business 15 years ago, I know how important it is to make sure that London remains open to entrepreneurs and businesses from all over the world. It is vital that we continue to shine a spotlight on London's talent, innovation and other assets that make it the world's leading city in which to do business," he said.
The 39-year-old Indore-born businessman and technology entrepreneur will lead on helping L&P attract international trade and investment to London.
"He will also play an important role as an advisor and champion of London as a global city for business, including spearheading international trade visits. He will also be pivotal in helping the company promote the city as a leading destination for tourism, students, culture and major events, with the overall aim of creating jobs and growth for the capital," L&P said in a statement.
Agrawal, founder of international money transfer service Xendpay and online foreign exchange service RationalFX, was appointed London's Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise soon after Khan took over as the first Muslim mayor of London in May.
The entrepreneur arrived in London in 2001, and went on to grow a two-person enterprise working from one small office into a multi-million-pound business based in London, with offices in Birmingham, France and Spain.
"As an entrepreneur who moved to London to set up a business, Rajesh is well placed to champion London as the leading, world city for international business, students and tourists.
"His business experience and passion for our great city will be vital in helping us to promote London as the world's leading and most welcoming city. In the coming months, London & Partners is determined to show the world that #LondonIsOpen," said Gordon Innes, London & Partners CEO.
London & Partners is a not-for-profit public private partnership, funded by the Mayor of London and a network of commercial partners.
