User:Jamiem007/sandbox/Simon Franks

Simon Franks is a UK businessman, philanthropist and social activist.

After a brief stint in banking, Franks became a successful entrepreneur in the film and video distribution industry. He has co-founded and founded businesses such as Redbus Film Distribution, Filmgroup and Lovefilm. In 2006, Franks switched his focus from business to philanthropy, establishing the Franks Family Foundation. The Foundation funds and manages charitable endeavours around the world, with a particular focus on South East Asia.

In April 2018, the Observer revealed that Franks was working with a network of business leaders and philanthropists to build a new political movement in the UK. Franks is thought to be dissatisfied with the status quo of British politics and has publicly stated his frustration at career politicians.

Business

After beginning his career in the banking sector, Franks soon left to begin his entrepreneurial career in the film distribution industry. He has had a variety of successful pursuits, beginning with Redbus Film distribution in 1997, which was sold in 2000. Franks also founded Filmgroup, which was the first company in Europe to successfully develop technology which compressed and streamed moving images over the internet. In 2003, Franks co-founded Lovefilm which was eventually sold to Amazon in 2011.

Franks has won a number of awards for business, including the Sunday Times Fast Track award. He was also selected by British Airways in 2013 as one of the world’s top 100 innovators for his work in business.

Philanthropy

In 2006, Franks established the Franks Family Foundation, managing and funding charitable endeavours in the developing world. The foundation aims to foster social and economic change through a variety of methods. These range from educational and scholarship programmes to travelling medical and health outreach projects. Franks has worked full time on the foundation since 2010.

Alongside their partner Kampuchean Action for Primary Education (KAPE), the Foundation developed and scaled the New Generation Schools programme in Cambodia. These schools provide academic support and seek to change attitudes towards schooling, aimed at creating the next generation of leader. The programme has been adopted by the Cambodian Government, and the Foundation is to expand the programme into Laos with the support of the Government.

Politics

Franks has been politically engaged within the UK, aligning himself with the Labour Party under the leadership of Ed Miliband. He has advised Labour politicians such as Ed Balls, and defended the Party in 2015 against accusations of being anti business.

In April 2018, the Observer revealed that Franks was spearheading a political movement looking to provide an alternative to the current party politics. A company established by Franks called Project One Movement for the UK is expected to be the primary vehicle for the group. The Movement is said to be rooted in a dissatisfaction with the state of politics, particularly at the role of the Conservative Government and Labour Opposition.

Personal and early life

Born in Hertfordshire in 1971, Franks grew up in Colindale and later Edgware. He attended comprehensive school in Camden Town and later graduated with a degree in business from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

Franks currently lives in Hampstead with his wife and children.