Celebrating Nine Years of Impact at Academic Summer Camps
Francisco Bustos has been closely connected with Academic Summer CEO, Helen Lami for many years – from meeting at education fairs to working together at DLD Colleges (Alpha Plus) and then nine years of impactful summer camps. During this period Francisco boosted student recruitment and opened new markets. He leaves Academic Summer on 31 January 2026 but will remain a valued associate.
Reflecting on their journey over more than 20 years, Helen shared: “Francisco has been a great friend to me personally, a huge asset to our team and a true champion of summer camp education. We wish him every success in the future.
Helen Lami and Francisco Bustos have known each other for more than 20 years long before ever working together.
“Throughout his time with us, Francisco played an instrumental role in helping shaping Academic Summer into the respected and established educational provider it is today. While our paths may now diverge, I’m sure we’ll continue to inspire each other within the UK education sector. Furthermore, his dedication, professionalism and unwavering belief in the joint mission of Academic Summer and Living Learning English will leave a lasting legacy.”
Francisco who is based in Oxford, will rejoin St Clare’s, Oxford, where he previously worked, moving from student recruitment of 7 to 17-year-olds into adult education. He will still be a speaker at the upcoming Academic Summer / LLE agent webinar in February.
“It’s a funny world in which we are operating in at the moment,” Francisco observes. “People are full of angst, wondering what’s going on. It’s also an interesting time in education. There’s a lot of uncertainty, and that’s why clear, thoughtful communication is more important than ever. So, I look forward to contributing to this online session.”
During his time at Academic Summer, Francisco represented the company at many international education fairs.
Francisco Bustos Farewell Interview
In celebration of Francisco’s journey with Academic Summer, business writer, Al Gibson interviewed him for The Clever Fox Journal to capture his insights, industry reflections and what lies ahead in the next chapter of his career.
Read: A Lasting Legacy: Francisco Bustos on Shaping Academic Summer where Francisco reflects on the highlights, challenges and memorable moments that have shaped his time with the company – from international education fairs to late-night airport runs and everything in between, his contribution has been immense.
Francisco at DLD College London where he was instrumental in setting up the first Academic Camp there nine years ago. He also acted as Director of Studies each year.
About Francisco
Over the years, Francisco has become a well-known figure across the international education community, recognised not only for his marketing expertise but for his personal warmth, industry insight and genuine care for students and agents alike.
Originally from South America, he is multilingual, having grown up speaking Spanish and has a BA Joint Honours in English and German and a PGCE in Modern Languages. An academic in his own right, he has worked as Director of Studies at Academic Summer’s DLD location, overseeing the teachers and educational programme.
He also has a Postgraduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and sales and marketing and helped develop the market for Academic Summer internationally focusing on student recruitment. The bulk of his work has been focused on Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan; some European countries like Germany and Spain, as well as Turkey and Mexico.
Francisco has represented Academic Summer at countless fairs and forums, while also supporting the launch of new locations and nurturing long-term relationships with global partners. His understanding of the international boarding school landscape and deep cultural intelligence have been invaluable assets to the team.
You can also read Francisco’s article, What makes Academic Summer different from other UK camps?
“Academic Summer is an organisation that puts students first, from the personal welcome at the airport to the carefully planned academic timetable,” he says. “The company’s strength lies in the balance between academic stretch and personal growth, all rooted in integrity and hands-on leadership. This student-centred approach is not just a brand value, but the lived experience that keeps families coming back year after year.”
Stay in contact with Francisco via his LinkedIn profile.
All the best Francisco (second left) from the combined Academic Summer | LLE Team! Pictured here in at the staff Christmas celebration in December 2025.
The Clever Fox Journal is the online news section of Academic Summer Camps, inspired by our logo – a wise fox wearing a graduation cap. Just like our summer programmes, The Clever Fox Journal is a place of curiosity, learning and discovery, bringing you the latest updates, insights and stories from our academic camps in the UK and Canada. Stay informed, stay inspired – and think like a clever fox!
