Frank graduated in Chemical Engineering, MSc, at the Technical University of Delft. He worked 35 years in the metals and mining industry, moving from R&D responsibilities  at the Alcoa Technical Center in Pittsburgh to processing, operational management and general management roles at BHP Billiton.

Frank was MD of the companies Gallium JV in Germany, VP business development of the Aluminium division, Director Operations of the companies Brazilian Aluminium division, MD of the operations in Surinam and COO South America of the Aluminium division. In the latter roles Frank did lead a number of acquisition, operational merger and divestment initiatives for the company.