Captain Niall Downey is an expert in aviation, medicine, and human factors. Renowned for his innovative approach to safety management, he has been at the forefront of applying aviation’s proven safety frameworks to healthcare and other high-stakes industries. His TEDx talk at Stormont’s Great Hall in 2016 remains a pivotal moment in his career, positioning him as a thought leader in error management and systemic improvement. Niall’s ability to captivate audiences with actionable insights and his proven track record makes him a sought-after speaker for conferences and events worldwide.
Niall’s journey began in medicine, graduating from Trinity College Dublin in 1993, followed by specialisation in cardiothoracic surgery. Achieving his FRCSI in 1997, he worked in prestigious institutions such as the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast and the National Cardiac Surgery Unit in Dublin. In 1999, Niall made a bold career transition by retraining as a pilot with Aer Lingus, balancing his new role with work as an Accident and Emergency doctor. His dedication and skill culminated in his promotion to Captain in 2010, operating the Airbus A330 fleet on transatlantic routes.
Over the years, Niall has achieved remarkable recognition for his work in safety and error management. He founded Framework Safety Group Ltd in 2011, a company dedicated to bringing aviation’s Safety Management Systems to industries such as healthcare, helping organisations adopt a systemic approach to reducing errors. In 2023, he published the bestselling book, Oops! Why Things Go Wrong, which has been widely praised for its practical insights into managing human error and improving organisational systems. His contributions have been featured on BBC Radio, RTE TV, and at leading conferences, including RSNA2024 in Chicago.
As a speaker, Niall delivers compelling and thought-provoking presentations on topics such as human factors, building a Just Culture, and reducing adverse events through better system design. His expertise appeals to organisations across industries seeking to improve safety, efficiency, and resilience. By blending his knowledge of aviation and healthcare, Niall offers practical strategies that inspire lasting change, making him an invaluable resource for leaders aiming to navigate complex challenges.
How to hire Captain Niall Downey
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Captain Niall Downey for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Captain Niall Downey's official speaker topics are listed below:
- Human Factors in Safety Management
- Applying Aviation Safety Frameworks to Healthcare
- Reducing Error in High-Stakes Environments
- Building a Just Culture in Organisations
- System Design for Adverse Event Prevention
- Leadership and Risk Management in Complex Industries
- 2023 – Published 'Oops! Why Things Go Wrong', a bestseller now in its second print run
- 2023 – Speaker at RSNA2024, the world’s largest medical conference
- 2016 – Delivered a TEDx talk at Stormont’s Great Hall, Northern Ireland
- 2011 – Founded Framework Safety Group Ltd, advancing safety training in healthcare and beyond
- 2010 – Promoted to Captain, operating Aer Lingus’ Airbus A330 fleet
- 1999 – Retrained as an Airline Pilot with Aer Lingus
- 1997 – Achieved FRCSI, specialising in cardiothoracic surgery
- 1993 – Graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a medical degree
