AbScent appoints new Executive Director

AbScent, the charity that supports people impacted by all types of smell disorders, has announced that it has appointed Esther Ardagh-Ptolomey to the position of Executive Director with immediate effect. 

Ardagh-Ptolomey will lead the charity’s strategic mission to grow awareness of the impact of smell and taste disorders on people’s lives, and especially in mental health. She will be responsible for overseeing the charity’s delivery of support for people experiencing smell loss and directing its extensive network of projects with the world’s leading scientific research institutes. AbScent currently provides guidance for the NHS, and Ardagh-Ptolomey will oversee further science-backed development of these support services including the provision of effective smell training.

Chrissi Kelly, Founder of AbScent, said:

“I am delighted to have Esther on board, and she will bring so much experience to our leadership team. Esther has great natural empathy combined with strong, clear leadership and will steer us with her vision. As we continue this period of exponential growth Esther will shape our charity for the future and drive our focus. Esther will be part of championing the reappraisal of smell loss as a severe condition and serve as a catalyst for greater understanding of the olfactory process the world over.”

Esther Ardagh-Ptolomey, Executive Director, AbScent, said:

“I am so impressed with everything that Chrissi Kelly and the AbScent team have done so far to draw much-needed focus to the impact of smell and taste loss. It is such an exciting time in the olfactory world with Covid-19 fuelling a resurgence of scientific interest in smell. While we help to grow the basis of science and smell, we never take our eyes off those people whom AbScent helps day in and day out. I feel privileged to be part of this team and look forward to exciting times ahead.”

Ardagh-Ptolomey has extensive experience of people management, marketing and operations in the charity sector from her time with Shelter, Cat’s Protection and the RSPCA.

Smell loss includes a broad range of conditions including anosmia, hyposmia, parosmia, and phantosmia. AbScent has an unrivalled resource of trusted information delivered by a distinguished advisory board and works with the latest scientific and clinical evidence. AbScent advocates to increase understanding and raise awareness of the conditions and their impacts supporting research into smell conditions.

Smell training is one of the only treatments evidenced to improve smell. Smell training is the process of actively sniffing the same four scents every day, spending around 20 seconds on each scent with intense concentration. It is easy, safe, and recommended by doctors. Anyone can do smell training if they would like to improve their sense of smell.

AbScent’s smell training kits have been formulated, based on scientific research, to improve the sense of smell, and clinically developed to exercise the olfactory process. AbScent’s smell training kits come in three varieties, or you can even build your own. AbScent’s smell training kits are available in three varieties and can be exported to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. 100% of proceeds directly support the work of the charity.