Francis' brief includes policy towards what’s now known as the Third Sector, the vital non-governmental organisations such as co-operatives, community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.
He grew up in a family which revolved around public service: his father Angus was already an MP when Francis was born; and his mother an environmentalist and conservationist.

He is a Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS, which is concerned with raising awareness of the condition and promoting policies to prevent and treat HIV in Britain and abroad. His concern with this devastating illness was triggered when his older brother died from AIDS in the early nineties.

Starting his career as a criminal barrister, Francis has seen at first hand the effects of social exclusion, and the part played by educational and penal failure in the rise of crime. When he was out of Parliament in the mid-nineties, Francis entered the business world, giving him a close insight into the competitive challenges that globalisation involves.

In his current position Francis has been leading the Conservatives’ work on how to deliver their policy objectives in government.

Electoral history
Member for North Warwickshire 1983-92, for Horsham 1997-2010, for Horsham (revised boundary) since 6 May 2010 general election

Parliamentary career
PPS to Peter Morrison as Minister of State for Employment 1984; Government Whip 1985-87; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry 1987-89; Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1989-90; Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1990-92; Member, Shadow Cabinet 1997-2001: Shadow Secretary of State: for National Heritage 1997, for Culture, Media and Sport 1997-98; Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer 1998-2000; Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 2000-01; Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 2007-10; Minister for the Cabinet Office; Paymaster General 2010-

Party groups
Member, Executive 1922 Committee 1997; Chair, Conservative Party 2005-07

Select committees
Member: Public Accounts 1990-92

Councils, public bodies
Councillor, Westminster City Council 1978-84; Chair of governors, Abingdon School 1994-2003