Francis Henderson
Francis has always been curious—drawn equally to languages, sciences, arts, and crafts. Architecture became a natural path, one cemented during a visit with his grandmother to Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp chapel. That was a revelation of how boundless creative possibilities are.
While studying architecture at the University of Cambridge, Francis was immersed in a rich design culture and academic approach. His early career began in Berlin, where he worked with leading architects in a vibrant, idea-driven environment. Over time, Francis sought to have a broader impact than design alone could offer, leading him to earn an MBA through a scholarship and focus on management roles in creative organisations.
He draws inspiration from creative leadership thinker Linda Hill, who wrote: “Our task is to create the space where everybody’s slices of genius can be unleashed, harnessed, and turned into works of collective genius.” For Francis, success is clear when a team is working in sync—connected by trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.
His strength lies in fusing business insight with creative ambition—supporting the studio to navigate commercial complexity while fostering a culture where regenerative design thrives. His vision? To help make Perkins&Will a truly leading regenerative design studio.
