We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Fifth Sense’s first Chief Executive Officer. Duncan Boak, the charity’s founder, started in the role on 21st February.

Duncan lost his sense of smell as the result of a head injury in 2005. He established Fifth Sense in 2012 in partnership with Prof Carl Philpott, Director of the UK’s first NHS Smell and Taste Clinic, and has led the development of the charity from an idea into a funded, staffed organisation. He steps down as Chair of the board of trustees to take up the role. Robert Meadowcroft, former CEO of Muscular Dystrophy UK, takes over as Chair. 

“I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as Fifth Sense’s first Chief Executive.” said Duncan. “This is a significant time for the charity and cause that I have spent the last ten years championing.

Whilst Covid-19 pandemic has created significant awareness of smell and taste disorders, more than anything it has highlighted the lack of treatment options for patients and the need for both more research and increased education and training across the healthcare profession. There was already a significant need when Prof Philpott and I established Fifth Sense; Covid has only increased this, with a greater number of people experiencing smell and taste impairment.