Francis Thompson

Francis grew up in Plymouth and, following a stint as a nightclub manager, changed careers and registered as a mental health nurse in 2003, graduating from Southampton University. Francis has worked in a variety of clinical areas across inpatient and community services including older adults, the National Psychosis Unit and addictions services. Francis has also spent time as a charge nurse, a community dual diagnosis specialist, a practice development nurse and in education as a lecturer in mental health at King’s College London. Francis has worked in a number of senior management roles: as the lead for nursing development at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, the head of nursing education and standards, and Deputy Director of Nursing at West London Mental Health Trust; he joined the University in August 2014. Francis leads the mental health team at the University of Plymouth.