The Francis Group announces new management line up to reflect company growth
The Francis Group, a Wellington based international company, has appointed a new executive team and strengthened its
alignment with another global company, Lightfoot Solutions of the United Kingdom.
The Francis Group provides internationally leading organisational development and sustainable performance improvement
services for health and wider public sectors in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Two managing partners have been appointed; Robert Murgatroyd in the UK and Martin Freeman in Australia. Roger
Hatrick-Smith, the company’s chief finance officer, is acting as the Managing Partner for New Zealand while an external
recruitment process continues.
Stuart Francis remains the Chairman and is based in the UK practice for the next year to support significant growth in
the group’s services to the British National Health Service. Dr Paddy Austin remains the Executive Director, based in
the UK.
Alongside the new executive management structure, there is a new role for one of the company’s major shareholders.
Trevor Read, formerly an Executive Director of the Francis Group, is now the Global Director Clinical Services for
Lightfoot Solutions. He remains a shareholder for the Francis Group which will work closely with Lightfoot Solutions on
joint opportunities and contracts.
“This move strengthens the Francis Group’s strategic partnership with UK based Lightfoot Solutions. It allows both
organisations to bring a unique combination of skills and a multinational advisory service to our clients looking to
improve their performance,” says Francis Group General Manager, Julene Hope.
“The Francis Group is going from strength to strength and the new Executive reflects the company’s growth. We are
currently performing above budget in the UK and Australia and intend to expand the group’s market presence in each
jurisdiction in the near future,” says Ms Hope.
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