PETER FRANCIS commenced his career within the development industry as a trainee with Broadway Malyan, a well respected architectural practice, and then enjoyed a brief, but invaluable, time as a Planning Officer with Egham Urban District Council. A natural transition followed when for nearly five years he produced many house designs and estate layouts for Crest Homes. He joined Berkeley Homes in 1977, as an initial member of the Company that became a fully listed member of the Stock Exchange in 1984. Peter’s progression over 18 years included posts as Land Director, Regional Managing Director, as well as an invitation to join the main board of The Berkeley Group plc in 1987, a post he held until leaving in Spring 1996. He was an active Chairman of several subsidiaries within the Group and involved in all aspects of land buying as well as two company acquisitions.