Frank Buckley
The UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Down Syndrome meets tomorrow for the first time since the General Election. We are hoping to see lots of new recruits. It is not too late to contact your MP and invite or remind them to join the group. Read more...
I am delighted to have welcomed many new members to the Board of Trustees of Down Syndrome Education International in recent months. These are exciting times as we continue to grow to meet the needs of more young people with Down syndrome in more places than ever before. The challenges are immense and we are hugely grateful for the time and commitment of our Board as they help guide the charity through what are increasingly challenging times. Read more...
Our free online briefings about our ongoing studies and research strategy have engaged many parents and professionals from many countries over the past few months. Recordings of these briefings are now available on-demand. Read more...
Come along to a free online briefing tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday to find out more about our classroom language and reading teaching intervention trial - the largest controlled intervention trial of a targeted educational intervention for children with Down syndrome. The trial is just entering its second year and we hope to start to get some preliminary results later in 2010. This briefing will describe the study, the particular teaching techniques being evaluated and the outcomes we are hoping to establish. Read more...
Frank has worked for Down Syndrome Education International since 1996. Over
this time he has played a central role in the development and growth of the organisation.
From 1997, as Director of Finance and Operations, Frank led the
charity's growth from a small trust to a major research and services
provider, with turnover rising from £86,000 in 1995 to £666,000 in 2005.
Since being appointed CEO in 2007, he has implemented a strategy to
refocus and rapidly expand the charity’s research programmes and to
dramatically extend the reach of our dissemination and advice services –
both to accelerate the pace and widen the impact of scientific progress.
Over the past two years, this strategy has helped to further raise
income by more than 50% – to over £1.1 million ($1.8 million or €1.2
million) in 2009 and a projected £1.7 million ($2.8 million or €1.9
million) in 2010.
Today, the charity serves over 100,000 beneficiaries in over 180
countries – up over 30% in the past year alone.
Roles
Frank also serves as a Vice-President of the
European Down Syndrome Association.
Frank is a Fellow of Royal Society for
the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (The RSA), a
Member of the Institute of Directors
and a member of the Association of Chief
Executives of Voluntary Organisations.
Responsibilities
Frank is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the organisation.
Frank was appointed CEO in September 2007. He has worked for the
charity since 1997, during which time his primary responsibilities included financial
management and accounting, information systems development and support, personnel
management, legal and regulatory oversight, fundraising, marketing and publishing
activities.
Frank is a proficient programmer with skills in many areas of software, database
and web site development. He has led the development of web sites and publishing
systems since 1996. As well as his extensive operational experience, Frank maintains
a close interest in the professional and scientific work of the organisation. During
2006/7, he led the 2007-2012 Strategy Review.
Background
Frank was educated at The Portsmouth Grammar School
and Wells Cathedral
School
. Frank's elder sister has Down syndrome.
His mother led the early reading research that began
the charity's work and was instrumental in the founding of the charity.
Frank married Angela Byrne (a
research psychologist at the charity) in 2003. They have three young
boys.
Frank's interests include philosophy, European literature, science and politics.
He enjoys squash, skiing, walking and wine.
Selected publications
- Buckley F, Buckley SJ. Wrongful deaths and rightful lives – screening for Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Research and Practice. 2008;12(2);79-86.
doi:10.3104/editorials.2087
- Buckley F. New and old directions. Down Syndrome Research and Practice.
2007;12(1);1-4. doi:10.3104/editorials.2034
- Buckley F, Sacks B. Multi-nutrient formulas and other substances as therapies for
Down syndrome: an overview. Down Syndrome News and Update. 1998;1(2);70-83.
doi:10.3104/perspectives.144