Director of research stands down from Alzheimer's Society

Professor Clive Ballard is leaving his role as part-time director of research at Alzheimer’s Society.

During his time as part of the charity’s management, the world leading dementia researcher played a key role in the successful campaign to make Alzheimer’s drugs available on the NHS, and highlighted the inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia, which has resulted in a reduction in their use by two-thirds.

Professor Ballard said: “It has been a privilege to work with Alzheimer's Society and the fantastic Research Network volunteers. The opportunity to join research with the campaigning expertise of Alzheimer's Society has been a powerful force to achieve some major and potentially life-saving benefits for people with dementia.”

Professor Ballard also helped to create an evidence based training programme which is currently being piloted in 100 care homes, and co-ordinated a collaboration with the BBC and the Medical Research Council using 11,000 participants to conduct the largest clinical trial of brain training.

Reflecting on the work Professor Ballard has done for the charity, Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society chief executive, said: “Clive was an instrumental figure in developing the Society's world class research programme over the last nine years. He has had a very significant impact not just on our research but also on our profile in the wider arena of dementia care.

“We are now at an incredibly exciting juncture with our research programme mainly thanks to Clive's contribution, and the Society continues to punch above its weight when it comes to achieving impact from our research investment and influencing the research agenda, both in the UK and internationally.”

Alzheimer’s society are aiming to increase their investment in research to £10m a year by 2017 as part of its five year strategy for tackling dementia.

The Society has now introduced a full time director of research as a result of the increased investment in the charities research programme. Dr Doug Brown started the full time role in January, and is now continuing to work on dementia research projects for the charity.