Fiona François

Fiona François
Born 22 May 1980
City of York, North Yorkshire, England
Residence Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Alma mater Northumbria University
Occupation EVP at InvestCloud, Former British Diplomat, HM Consul and Regional Director, UK Trade and Investment
Years active 2001 –2014
Spouse(s) Eric H François (2006-present)
Children One son

Fiona Jane François (born Fiona Jane Mackay, 22 May 1980) was HM Consul and Director for the Western Region of UK Trade & Investment’s US Network.[1]

Biography

Born in York, North Yorkshire,[2] she studied Economics, Politics and Sociology at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle upon Tyne where she graduated with honours before joining Her Majesty's service. In 2009 Fiona François was appointed HM Consul and Director for the Western Region of UK Trade & Investment’s US Network. Based at the British Consulate-General in Los Angeles,[3] Fiona managed the Trade and Investment teams in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston, advising US companies looking to expand their operations in Europe and supporting UK companies doing business in the US.[1] UKTI focuses on a broad range of sectors including: Energy; Life Sciences; Technology, Financial and Professional Business Services, Advanced Engineering and Aerospace and, Creative Industries.[4][5]

Britweek

Fiona François is a Member of the Board of BritWeek,[2][6] a not for profit organization focusing on the British contribution to business, film, fashion and music in Southern California.[5]

Brits Give Back

Through Britweek, Francois supports various charities including, LA's BEST, Malaria No More, Save The Children, Virgin Unite[7]

Business Innovation Awards

Fiona François created the first ever UKTI / Britweek Business Innovation Awards in 2010 for Businesses with joint operations in the UK and California to be recognized for their achievements in innovation before an audience of elite international commercial players, as well as the wider California business community. François shortlists finalist in each category to be judged by renowned business leaders. Past judges were, Andy Bird Chairman of Walt Disney International, Ian Callum Design Director for Jaguar,[8] Carlos Amezcua, Co-Anchor Fox 11 News[9] and Sir Ken Robinson Internationally Renowned Creativity Expert.[10] Past honored speakers were Simon Cowell,[11] Nigel Lythgoe[12] and Frank Mottek.[13]

British American Business Council

Fiona is a member of the British American Business Council (BABC) and actively supports the chapters in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, the Pacific North West, Chicago and Houston[14]

L.A. Business Journal's "Women Making A Difference" Awards

In 2013 François was one of the top 5 finalists for the L.A. Business Journal’s “Women Making A Difference” Awards. Fiona was one of 252 nominees for the 2013 Awards in the "Rising Star" category.[15][16]

Career and Professional Appointments[3]

Publications and Presentations

Other Appearances

Britweek,[22] Emmy's,[23] Golden Globe,[24] Sundance,[25] BABC,[26] Other[27]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organ i sations/uk-trade-investment-in-the-usa
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://britweek.org/fiona-francois/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.babcpnw.org/misc/fiona_bio.pdf
  4. ↑ http://pacificpalisades.patch.com/groups/local-connections/p/palisadian-named-finalist-to-la-business-journals-top-5-women-making-a-difference
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://britweek.org/meet-the-board/
  6. ↑ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/britweek-ukti-business-innovation-awards-201500657.html
  7. ↑ http://britweek.org/mission-statement-501-c-3/
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130425006735/en/BritWeek-UKTI-Business-Innovation-Awards-2013-Presented
  9. ↑ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fox-anchor-carlos-amezcua-joins-judging-panel-as-britweek-and-ukti-launch-2013-business-innovation-awards-2013-01-15
  10. ↑ http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/britweek-ukti-business-innovation-awards-2012-now-underway-1607713.htm
  11. ↑ http://www.accesshollywood.com/simon-cowell-talks-american-idol-exit-nigel-lythgoe-hopes-to-trample-all-over-paula_article_42496
  12. ↑ http://news.yahoo.com/photos/simon-cowell-nigel-lythgoe-attend-britweek-ukti-business-photo-20110119-145017-150.html
  13. ↑ http://www.frankmottek.com/News/tabid/950/BlogDate/2012-04-30/DateType/month/Default.aspx
  14. ↑ http://babcla.org/content.asp?PageID=155
  15. ↑ http://www.cbjonline.com/a2labj/supplements/Women-Making-A-Difference_2013.pdf
  16. ↑ http://ballantinespr.com/News/MEDIA_ALERTS/FionaFrancois.html
  17. ↑ http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/fiona-francois-tv-personality-simon-cowell-and-his-fiancee-news-photo/98854614
  18. ↑ http://www.justluxe.com/jaguar-xj/article-4.php
  19. ↑ http://blog.reachlocal.com/125060/2011/05/13/reachlocal-wins-uk-trade--investment-business-innovation-award!.html
  20. ↑ http://www.babcpnw.org/docs/2012/agm2012/agm%20event%20flyer.pdf
  21. ↑ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/BritWeek-UKTI-Business-iw-2258481313.html
  22. ↑ http://archive.britweek.org/2010/images/photo_gallery/gala_rex/large-19.html
  23. ↑ http://www.contactmusic.com/photo/fiona-francois-eric-franois-the-40th-annual-daytime-emmy-awards-held_3722124
  24. ↑ http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/nigel-lythgoe-fiona-francois-and-bob-peirce-attend-a-golden-news-photo/159358402
  25. ↑ http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/consul-and-regional-director-fiona-francois-and-british-news-photo/137628030
  26. ↑ http://babcla.org/images/events/April_2013_Breakfast_David_Gauke_MP/Pages/6.html
  27. ↑ http://babcla.org/images/events/August_2013_Everton_Lunch/Pages/33.html