We are brothers, Andrew and Anthony and we founded HFS London in 2007.
From humble beginnings, we are proud to have seen the company grow to become the largest British Council registered homestay only provider in London.
Today we have a well-trained, friendly team of 15 people who specialise exclusively in homestay accommodation. We are based from river fronted offices in a wonderfully creative community, Trinity Buoy Wharf, and every year we connect thousands of overseas students, interns and travellers with host families in London.
Looking back, the seed for HFS London was sown during our own study/ work abroad experience. Andrew spent a year at a French university on the Erasmus programme, while Anthony interned in Hungary through AIESEC. It is incredible how such a short period of living abroad irreversibly broadened our perspectives and ignited a love for cultural exchange, language and study travel. Our experiences in France and Hungary quickly saw us leave our careers in the financial sector, and embark on our HFS journey. We haven’t looked back since!
So why not help others benefit in the same way?
Our ambition in founding HFS London was to foster greater awareness, understanding and acceptance of other cultures by providing great homestay experiences. This founding principle runs throughout the company to this day as we continue to put the experience of the student and the host at the heart of everything we do.
Having both lived with host families during our time abroad, we understand how daunting it can be to uproot, move to a new country and adapt to a different way of life.
At the same time, we have lived the benefits of homestay first hand, and know that aside from the practical benefits, the homestay experience has the potential to open minds and create life-long friendships.
HFS London was created with a genuine belief in, and personal experience of, the benefits of homestay, language travel and cultural exchange. As a company we have made a conscious decision to remain true to these roots. We are not distracted by other forms of accommodation. Our sole focus is therefore on being experts in homestay, and on providing our students, interns, schools and homestay hosts with the best possible homestay experience in London.
June 2007 - 1st Host family recruited!
June 2007 - 1st Student placed!
Our first major language school client in London. The relationship runs strong to this day!
Company grows from 7 to 12 as the team expands to deal with the continuing demand for homestay from our clients.
HFS becomes one of only 3 providers registered with the British Council!
Now working with most of London’s top language schools, colleges and universities, dealing with their homestay requirements.
HFS London trades Limehouse for Canary Wharf as we move into new spacious offices, and start a new chapter in the company’s history.
Having a British Council inspection whilst the bookings came flooding in was certainly a challenge for us, but we passed with flying colours. So much so, the British council said we didn’t need to be inspected for another 4 years!
We move from London’s financial district, Canary Wharf, to river fronted offices in a wonderfully creative riverside community, Trinity Buoy Wharf!
Team of 15, over 10,000 students placed in homestay and going strong… Where will the future take us???