I am delighted to be a trustee of Fifth Sense and to help develop the excellent work of the charity. With more people affected by smell and taste loss with Long Covid, there is a growing need for clinical support, research and new treatments. I’m keen to help the charity to accelerate progress.

My professional experience includes 8 years as Chief Executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK and before that, 7 years as a Director of Parkinson’s UK.  I started in South Yorkshire with Scope, developing improved support for people with cerebral palsy.  I have worked with government, MPs, scientists and clinicians to ensure ground-breaking research could go ahead in the UK. This involved bringing the legal and regulatory frameworks for genetics and embryology up-to-date and in-step with scientific progress.  I’ve helped secure access to emerging drugs and improved specialist services in the NHS and social care and enjoyed fundraising and volunteering. I also chaired the Board of a volunteer bureau and served as a trustee of a dementia charity. 

Off duty, I enjoy music in concert and jazz clubs, visiting galleries and exploring history and new places.