Trained as a Civil Engineer, Tan Sri Francis took over the running of his family's company in 1988 and grew it into a business conglomerate comprising of six listed companies, with a combined market capitalisation of over RM38 billion (USD10.5 billion). YTL owns and manages regulated utilities and other infrastructural assets, serving 10 million customers in three continents.

Ranked by both Fortune Magazine and Business Week Magazine as one of Asia's 25 Most Powerful and Influential Business Personalities, Tan Sri Francis has won many business awards. He was Ernst and Young's Master Entrepreneur in Malaysia and CNBC's alaysia CEO of the Year. Most recently, Asiamoney named him one of Asia's Top Executives 008.

Tan Sri Francis is Founder Member of Malaysian Business Council and Capital Markets Advisory Council. He is Member of Asia Business Council and Barclays Asia-Pacific Advisory Committee. He is also a Trustee of Asia Society and sits on the Advisory Council of London Business School, Wharton School and INSEAD.

An ardent advocate of environmental conservation, Tan Sri Francis supports clean and renewable energy initiatives and sponsors awareness campaigns such as 'Climate Change Week'. He is Member of The Nature Conservancy's Asia Pacific Council.

Tan Sri Francis also has a great passion for the Arts. He is Regional Chairman of nternational Friends of the Louvre and the primary driving force behind Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre.

In 2004, an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering was conferred upon Tan Sri Francis by University of Kingston (UK), his alma mater. In 2008, he received a prestigious professional accolade by being made a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers in London.

In recognition of his many endeavours, Tan Sri Francis was awarded the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.

"In 2010, Tan Sri Francis was awarded the prestigious Oslo Business for Peace Award. This award is the highest distinction given to a business person for outstanding ccomplishments in the area of ethical business."

Tan Sri Francis married Puan Sri Dato' Paduka Rosaline in 1982 and they have 3 sons and 2 daughters.

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