Mark Francis, founder of the Uspire Partnership, launches his groundbreaking book “The Captaincy” today at Richmond Waterstones, introducing a revolutionary leadership framework based on sporting intelligence that promises to transform how businesses develop their executives.
The book presents Francis’s concept of Sporting Intelligence, or “SpQ” – the decisive factor that separates good leaders from truly great ones. Drawing on over four decades of experience coaching elite athletes and mentoring executives at organizations including Danone, The United Nations, Zurich Assurance, and Beringer Winery, Francis argues that lessons from sport create better business leaders.
“If the US Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley had used the SpQ formula in September, they would have won the Cup back from Europe,” Francis states. “The principles of sporting intelligence apply equally to boardrooms as they do to playing fields.”
The Captaincy offers a comprehensive three-part leadership approach designed for large organizations where leadership development is business critical. The program called Who’s your Captain?’, includes a motivational speech to kickstart change initiatives, the inspirational book for leadership teams, and a two-day Mastermind workshop to embed the principles.
Francis brings unique credentials to the leadership development space. Since 1982, he has coached women’s rugby teams including England, Scotland, and Great Britain. His business journey began in 2006 when he co-founded The Star Commercial Academy with Jonathan Brough. By 2012, the company expanded with four additional founders – Chester Robinson, Amanda Downs, Pippa Dunford, and Colin Wright – and became Uspire. In 2024, the organization evolved into the Uspire Partnership and acquired two businesses: Business Doctors and the Be Human Collective.
“I see myself as a dolphin trainer – creating 10,000 leaders as educators around the world,” Francis explains. “I mentor these Captains of change in business and sport with infectious enthusiasm. The name Uspire captures my drive to give people the confidence to lead significant change in their communities.”
The book emphasizes several core principles including UPwards momentum, the critical need for more female leaders, and concepts Francis terms THIN-SLICING, TRIBAL FIRE, and Transformational INTENTIONALITY. His approach blends sport psychology and multi-sector business insight gained from working across international markets.
“Mark’s reach is formidable. I love his concept of ‘thin slicing’… also his ‘tribal fire,’ or the inner power and passion which can be developed into individuals or team groups. This book is a feast. It ranges across improvement philosophies in so many sports and business settings. It should become a text book in its own right.”
— Stephen Jones, The Sunday Times
Born in Chelsea, Francis lived in Miami at age seven and spent time in Switzerland between 2000 and 2004, giving him a global perspective on leadership challenges. His company, The Uspire Partnership, currently serves clients across diverse sectors including food and beverage, insurance, tourism, and international development through its websites theuspiregroup.com and augmenta.co.uk.
“The Captaincy” retails at £15.99 or $21.99 (ISBN: 978-1-917534-10-9) and is available at major bookstores. An audio version will launch in January 2026. Francis plans a US roadshow speaking tour in 2026 to bring the SpQ framework to American businesses.
The book launch at Richmond Waterstones takes place today, November 20th, with Francis available for speaking engagements and media interviews.
For more information, visit theuspiregroup.com or augmenta.co.uk
