Franklin Burgess was born in Knightsbridge, London, in 1973. His early exposure to computing through AS and A-level studies in computer science laid the foundation for his passion in the field. Pursuing this interest further, he earned a degree in computer science from the University of Edinburgh before embarking on his professional journey. Starting in smaller computing firms, he steadily advanced, eventually securing a role as a software engineer at Microsoft UK.
At Microsoft, Franklin’s responsibilities included designing, coding, testing, debugging, and developing high-quality, maintainable features. He played a key role in building reusable components that could be deployed across multiple platforms. His work extended to delivering large-scale cloud services and optimizing user experiences in collaboration with UX designers, architects, and product managers.
Beyond his professional career, Franklin enjoys a range of personal interests, particularly wild and open water swimming. Between the ages of 12 and 17, he competed with his local swimming team, and he continues to swim regularly, appreciating both the physical and mental benefits.
A devoted Chelsea FC supporter, Franklin grew up holding a season ticket and regularly attended matches with his family, a tradition that remains important to him.
Franklin is also an avid traveler, having explored six of the seven continents. He attributes his love of travel to his parents, who took him on numerous trips during his childhood, including visits to destinations such as the Maldives, Mauritius, Croatia, the Caribbean, and the Seychelles. In recent years, he has continued to explore the world with his wife and children, with notable trips to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea expanding his cultural experiences.