Francis Maude
THE RT HON LORD MAUDE OF HORSHAM
FMA FOUNDER & CO-CHAIR
Francis Maude’s Experience in the UK Government
Francis is a senior British political figure and former minister. His career spans three Governments, four decades and multiple continents. Having had his first ministerial post under Margaret Thatcher, Francis has long experience and deep understanding of how governments work.
Francis’s ministerial career culminated in his position as Cabinet Minister, 2010-2015. He created the Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG), which saved money, improved services and built lasting capability in government.
Overall, Francis’s reforms saved the UK $75 billion over 5 years.
Francis’s Key Achievements in the UK Government
DIGITAL
Created the world-leading Government Digital Service and GOV.UK web portal. As a result, the UK was ranked best in the world for e-government in 2016
Major projects
Established the Major Projects Authority which transformed project success rate from 30% to 70%.
PROCUREMENT
Reformed procurement and commercial capability of the UK Government, delivering over $27 billion of savings.
PROPERTY
Created national property controls that delivered a 20% reduction in occupancy costs and $4 billion in capital receipts.
“Francis: if plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery, you should feel very flattered”
- Malcolm Turnbull, former Australian Prime Minister, on setting up the Australian Digital Transformation Office
A Long History of Public Service
Francis had a distinguished career in Government, spanning over three decades. He served as Margaret Thatcher’s Minister for Europe and Hong Kong, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Minister for Privatisation.
Before the formation of the Coalition Government in 2010, Francis served on the Opposition frontbench, variously as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Shadow Foreign Secretary, and Chairman of the Conservative Party.
As Minister for the Cabinet Office from 2010 to 2015, Francis led an efficiency and reform programme that delivered cumulative savings from the operating costs of Government of more than $75 billion. He and his team developed the “functional model” of government to break down the separate silos that in many governments stand in the way of efficient and effective delivery of services.
In 2015 Francis was appointed to the House of Lords as Lord Maude of Horsham.
Francis’s key roles in and out of Government include:
Minister for Trade and Investment
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Global Head of Privatisation, Morgan Stanley
Minister for Privatisation
Financial Secretary to the Treasury
Minister for Europe and Hong Kong
Minister for Corporate Affairs
“Lord Maude’s record speaks for itself, not only in Britain but today in assisting governments in a range of different countries and cultures around the world where he, and the team at FMA are now working. They work closely with Ministers and senior public servants to ensure the best possible results for governments and citizens alike.”
- Hon Mike Rann, former Premier of South Australia
Francis Maude and FMA
Francis is passionate about FMA, providing active leadership to the venture, which he established with Baroness Finn after leaving Government in 2016. He devotes most of his working hours to FMA and regularly visits our current and potential clients.
Francis’s experience from decades as a government reformer is the foundation of FMA’s offer. Combined with the expertise of our Senior Advisors and Directors, our offer comprises eight key functions.
THE FMA OFFER
COMMERCIAL & procurement
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
MAJOR PROJECTS
DIGITAL
property MANAGEMENT
CLIMATE
INVESTMENT PROMOTION
DIPLOMACY
FMA takes no paid work from the British Government.
In 2021 Francis completed a pro-bono review into Spend Controls and the Functional Model in the UK Government.
In 2022 Francis conducted the pro-bono Independent Review of Governance and Accountability in the Civil Service. It was published in 2023.