Worked in motorsport sponsorship until the early 1990's and also worked as an insurance broker in the past. Now a lemon farmer on the French Riviera which he bought back in 1965. It is a 19th century lemon farm and garden on the outskirts of Menton, and supplies many restaurants in his homeland. As well as lemons, La Citonneraie grows grapefruits, oranges, mandarins, clementines and pomelos, plus it now has extensive gardens which feature a large number of exotic and tropical plants, which has become a popular visitor attraction. Still attends historic events. As a racer, Francois won the 1969 French Formula 3 title but quit racing in 1972 after a combination of his funding being withdrawn due to the oil crisis at the time, a big crash in a road race and his friend and colleague Jo Siffert's death in 1971. As a sponsorship expert, he was the man that helped put Essex and Lotus together in the late 1970's.

Biography last updated 27 May 2024