LONDON—Emma Gilpin-Jacobs has been appointed director of communications for UK deputy prime minister (DPM) Nick Clegg, after departing the FT earlier this year.

Gilpin-Jacobs joins the DPM's office after spending seven years as the FT's global communications director.

She will lead the Liberal Democrats' communications team, which also includes public relations director Lena Pietsch, a Clegg adviser who has returned from maternity leave.

Gilpin-Jacobs, brings considerable private sector experience to the operation, having also spent six years at Time Warner and working for various PR consultancies.