About Dave French
Founder & Manager of Anikos
Dave French is a seasoned digital innovator, entrepreneur, and communications strategist with a knack for being ahead of the curve. Originally from the UK and now based in Hungary, Dave has been working in IT since 2004, developing websites and operating his own web hosting service, offering end-to-end digital solutions to clients across sectors.
But Dave’s reputation isn’t just about tech – it’s about vision.
In 2005, before smartphones and social media as we know it today, Dave launched Free Text Info in Newquay, Cornwall – a revolutionary SMS-based local information network for holidaymakers. It allowed visitors to receive real-time text updates about surf conditions, dolphin sightings, and local events, all sponsored by local businesses. Essentially, it was a mobile Twitter before Twitter even existed – making Dave one of the true pioneers of live, location-based digital interaction.
This spirit of innovation evolved into Tweet Bus, a wildly creative mobile publicity vehicle that roamed Cornwall from 2012 to 2017, live-tweeting its way through festivals, events, businesses, and communities. It didn’t just promote – it connected. The Tweet Bus became a social media icon in the South West, even attracting sponsorship from a local MINI dealership that wrapped four custom cars to tour alongside it. The Cornwall Development Corporation later enlisted Dave and the Tweet Bus to lead a year-long marketing campaign promoting the rollout of the UK’s first Superfast broadband network.
Whether working with local authorities, tourism boards, or small businesses, Dave has always had a unique ability to fuse technology, storytelling, and community impact.
Dave also has a background in sales, working for Virgin Energy in the early 2000s and managing a sales team of 20 freelancers selling government sponsored IT courses for the ‘EU Computer Driving Licence’ certification.
Today, Dave brings that same energy, experience, and innovation to his latest venture – Anikos.
Based in Hungary, Anikos is a versatile virtual support office that offers more than just a VA service. Under Dave’s direction, it delivers the combined talents of himself, his Hungarian partner, and a growing team of professional Hungarian virtual assistants. Anikos is designed to serve as a seamless extension of your team – agile, bilingual, culturally aware, and ready to help UK businesses (especially those in Cornwall) thrive in a digital-first world.
Anikos isn’t just about outsourcing – it’s about trust, flexibility, and building long-term support relationships.
With Dave at the helm, you get more than a virtual assistant service you get a virtual partner who’s been innovating digital engagement since before it was cool.
About Anikó Lőrinczy
Co-Founder & Operations Lead at Anikos
Anikó is the namesake and co-founder of Anikos, bringing with her a unique blend of international experience, exceptional administrative talent, and a deep understanding of both UK and Hungarian business cultures. After living/working in the UK for many years she returned to Hungary to set up Anikos.
A fluent English speaker with over 30 years of professional experience.
Anikó began her career at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, where she worked in a wide range of trusted roles. Over two decades, she held positions in administration, coordination, event planning, and property management – including overseeing official residences for visiting U.S. State Department officials and organising major events such as ambassadorial garden parties and diplomatic receptions. Her role demanded utmost professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail – qualities that remain at the core of her work today.
Following her embassy career, Anikó moved to the United Kingdom, settling mainly in Cornwall, where she fell in love with the region’s natural beauty, coastal life, and culture. During her five years in the UK, she worked in a range of administrative and client-facing positions, including Front of House Manager roles in country clubs and high-end hospitality venues. Her time in the UK added a new layer to her skill set – blending diplomacy with hospitality and developing a deep cultural understanding of British customer service expectations.
When she returned to Hungary in 2019, Anikó brought all of this international experience into a new chapter – launching herself as a freelance virtual assistant and personal assistant. She quickly established a solid reputation working with Hungarian accountancy firms, where she provided consistent, high-quality admin support. Her work included managing client communications, processing financial documentation, coordinating internal workflows, and offering trusted day-to-day operational support. Her experience in both English and Hungarian business environments made her an ideal bridge between systems, people, and expectations.
But her connection to the UK – and especially Cornwall – remained strong. Determined to share her love of the region with fellow Hungarians, Anikó registered the domain cornwall.hu and built a dedicated Hungarian-language website showcasing the best of Cornwall. Through this platform, she promotes the region as a travel destination for Hungarian tourists, offering guides, tips, and local insights. It’s a testament to her creativity, digital skills, and passion for connecting cultures.
Today, Anikó is the Operations Lead at Anikos, where she works closely with co-founder Dave French to manage a talented team of virtual assistants and IT professionals based in Hungary. Together, they offer UK businesses more than just one assistant – they provide a complete virtual support office: bilingual, professional, and fully managed by people who genuinely care about their clients’ success.
With her diplomatic background, hospitality leadership, and hands-on VA experience, Anikó brings both structure and warmth to everything she does – making her an invaluable part of every client’s extended team.