About Us
Moving to France, Done Properly
The story, the qualifications and the people behind French Connections HCB.
As Featured In
Richard Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis
Founder & CEO
The Origin Story
Raised in the System You're Joining
You don't need to understand every French form and rule. You need someone who already does.
Born in France in 1988 to a Scottish family, I grew up in the rural south-west. Village school, local rugby club: I lived in the French system rather than studying it. At Toulouse University I spotted the gap that would become my life's work: English speakers arriving in France with nobody to guide them.
After eleven years in corporate roles, and a return to France as an early remote worker and property owner, I launched French Connections HCB from scratch in 2017.
Today we have offices in London, colleagues across France and the USA, and a partnership with 186 AVOCATS, whose managing partners are my partners in 186 London Limited. We help 30–40 people make this move every month. Yours can be one of them.
Qualified People
The Legal Work Comes From Qualified People
Most relocation companies stop at filling in forms. Most immigration lawyers stop at the visa. We do the whole move.
Legal work sits with a regulated firm
Where your file needs a legal opinion, a contract reviewed or representation before a French authority, that work is carried out by qualified avocats and solicitors at 186 AVOCATS. Between the partners there are admissions at the Bar of England and Wales, the New York Bar and the French Bar.
A partnership, not a referral
Our founder is a partner in 186 London Limited alongside the two managing partners of 186 AVOCATS and our chartered accountant. So the legal and tax side of your move is not outsourced to strangers, and it is not performed by people who are not qualified to perform it.
We coordinate the whole move
Visas, property, healthcare, utilities and tax touch different professionals. We hold the file together so you are not assembling it yourself from parties who never speak to each other.
Meet the Team
The People Behind Your Move to France
We're not freelancers or subcontractors. We're a permanent, bilingual team who know your case inside out, with legal and tax matters handled by 186 AVOCATS and 186 London.
Tap any face to hear them introduce themselves.
Richard Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis
Founder & CEO
Juliette Harancot
Head of Corporate Services
Alex Ghigo
Legal Advisor (UK Bar)
Jade Milin
US Legal Counsel (NY Bar)
Pia de Saint Laurent
Legal Advisor (French Bar)
Nathalie Marsollier
Head of VIP Client Services
Annabelle Thore
Head of In-Country Services
Max Borgnis
Client Relations Manager
Claudia Tappin
Client Services & Administration
Marie Briat
VIP Client Assistant
Kailey Melna
Client Operations Support
Coline Buffles
Corporate Services Assistant
Elvire de Royere
Paralegal
Randall Edwards
Chartered Accountant & Business Consultant
Will Dalton Hall
Senior Sales Consultant
Google Reviews
What It's Like to Work With Us
Real words from clients who have already made the move.
“We discovered French Connections HCB when we decided to move from the USA to Strasbourg, France to retire in 2024. They are part wizards and part Sherpas. Wizards in that they make the anxiety associated with a move disappear. Sherpas because they are expert guides who skillfully lead you through the entire process. They shepherded us through visa approval, taxes, banking, and even found an apartment for us…”
Michael ThomasRetired from the USA to Alsace“Well, all we can say is that it was worth every penny for the service and we couldn't have been happier with the suggested areas and the detailed info. In fact, we're writing this from a beautiful park in the city that will be our future home… This place, that never would have been on our radar at all if not for the Region Matcher Service, is definitely “the” place for us.”
Steven HessMoving to the city the Region Matcher found“I just recently received my visitor long-stay Visa for France and it's all thanks to all of the wonderful help and preparation I received from Jade Milin at French Connections HCB!! We have a very unique situation and I had no idea where to start… They were very responsive and have helped me from start to finish to secure my Visa with peace of mind. Jade is phenomenal and made me feel relaxed going into my Visa appt… I cannot thank her enough!”
Rebecca BeckerFrom the US to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes“From the very beginning, Richard and the team were professional, knowledgeable, patient, and incredibly supportive. Moving country, navigating visas, banking, paperwork, and setting up a completely new life can feel overwhelming, but they guided us through every step and made the whole process far less stressful than it could have been.”
Michael TeagueMoved from the UK to Nouvelle-Aquitaine“We have never felt alone in France because of French Connections HCB, Richard and his team… This company is truly exceptional and not the norm. We could not have made the decision to live in France without them.”
Elizabeth TaorminaMoved from the US to Lyon“The documentation required to do just about anything in France can be overwhelming and the home buying process added to the burden… French Connections HCB were an invaluable resource. They performed all of the interaction and appointment setting with providers, to ensure that I could move into my home with utilities in place. I highly recommend their services, I truly don't know how I would have managed without them.”
Cat NorrisRetired from the US to the Loire“French Connections HCB have exceeded every promise. Their service has been nothing short of exemplary. Annabelle and Juliette have been outstanding—professional, responsive, and genuinely kind every time I needed guidance or support - visas, drivers license, insurance, medical...impeccable. I can’t overstate how impressed I am with the way they operate and made my transition to France seamless, stress-free, and joyful. Highly recommend!”
Mariette WilcoxMoved from Canada to ParisHow We Work
From First Call to Settled In
One person, start to finish
A dedicated case manager leads your move from first call to settled in, backed by the full team.
A permanent, bilingual team
Your move is coordinated by our own bilingual team, with the legal and tax work handled by 186 AVOCATS and 186 London.
Still here after you land
Registrations, healthcare, driving licences, renewals: the admin that begins on arrival is the part most people underestimate.
A guarantee, stated plainly
No one can promise you a consulate's decision, and it is worth being careful with anyone who does. If your visa isn't approved on our Handled For You service, you get your money back.
Ready to Start?
Talk Your Move Through With a Specialist.
Talk one-to-one with a relocation specialist about your situation and leave with a clear plan and pricing for your move. No obligation.
Book a ConsultationYour €45 fee is credited towards any service.
