Francis Vigurs

Educated at a prestigious naval school in Central London, Francis chose a different path after completing his rigorous training and opting to forgo a naval career to explore other interests. His academic journey took him through art and computer science, which led to a diverse career trajectory. Initially, venturing into the real estate market as an estate agent, navigating the turbulent waters of a property crash when he was just 20. At 19, Francis successfully sold his first development project—a daring conversion of a maisonette above a shop into three apartments—by the skin of his teeth on the third contract. This early success was a testament to Francis's resilience and adaptability. Following the downturn in the property market, he shifted gears to run a car garage, focusing on sales while the real estate sector remained stagnant. Driven by a passion for property, Francis expanded his horizons to the French Riviera, purchasing a holiday flat in Nice and delving into refurbishing properties on the picturesque coast. Upon returning to the UK, he undertook a significant project: converting a barn set on nine acres of land and purchasing a large doctor's surgery practice, where Francis was granted planning consent for 41 flats. The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly reshaped his perspective on global dynamics, offering him new insights into the world's intricate systems and prompting a reevaluation of his role within them. Francis is a father to a daughter and currently lives in the UK.