Francis Henderson

Associate Principal, Operations Director, London

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.

Say hello to Francis
fun fact

Beyond the studio, Francis raises money for charity singing in his community choir and volunteers as a cook at his local church. He’s also a keen runner, swimmer, cyclist, and musician. 

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