Francis Maude is a leading conservation architect, who works on projects in Ireland, the UK and internationally. He studied architecture at the University of Cambridge and Canterbury, qualifying in 1992. He held the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Lethaby Scholarship in 1994. Francis joined the UK's leading conservation architecture practice, Donald Insall Associates, in 1991, becoming a Director in 2014. In his time at Donald Insall, Francis has led projects on many of the UK's most significant buildings, including for the UK Parliamentary Estates, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Alexandra Palace, the City of London Corporation.

Francis has a deep understanding of traditional building materials and historic construction techniques. His approach encourages clients and building users to see the historic building environment as a resource which will enrich modern life rather than constrain it. This is achieved through a programme of analysis of the existing site, and of the client’s brief, to develop an approach to conservation, restoration and development which meets the objectives of retention of historical significance, client usability and financial viability. Francis has particular expertise in the preparation of Conservation Management Plans which have informed development of proposals for clients in the UK and overseas. His technical understanding of historic building construction permits an authoritative approach to conservation work for buildings across all sectors. Francis has worked as a consultant to Southgate Associates since 2022, and is a member of the Southgate Associates multi-disciplinary team on projects such as William Burges' St. Fin Barre's Cathedral Cork, Blarney Castle and the regeneration of the Cork City Docklands among others.