Alabaré, a leading homelessness charity dedicated to supporting individuals across the South West of England and Wales, is proud to announce the appointment of Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB DL as Trustee effective immediately, and Chairman effective 1 January 2026.
Sir Andrew will succeed Malcolm Cassells, who is stepping down as Chairman after 17 years of extraordinary service.
Sir Andrew brings a wealth of leadership experience from both military and charitable sectors, most recently serving as CEO of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. His deep commitment to service and social impact makes him ideally placed to guide Alabaré into its next chapter.
“I am honoured to join Alabaré at such a pivotal time,” said Sir Andrew. “The charity’s mission to provide homes, heal hearts, and empower minds resonates deeply with me. I look forward to working with the team to expand our reach and deepen our impact – especially for veterans, the homeless, young people, and those facing mental health challenges or living with learning disabilities.”
As Alabaré welcomes new leadership, it also pays heartfelt tribute to Malcolm Cassells, whose tenure as Chairman has been marked by remarkable growth and resilience. Under his guidance, Alabaré evolved from a Salisbury-based initiative into a regional leader in supported housing and wellbeing services.
“It’s been an honour to lead Alabaré as Chair for the past 6 years, and prior to that, 11 years as a trustee, during a period of remarkable growth. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of our staff, volunteers, ambassadors, trustees, and the generosity of our supporters, we’ve been able to transform thousands of lives. I’m thrilled to welcome Andrew and confident he’ll continue to champion change and deliver lasting impact for those we serve,” said Malcolm.
Alabaré’s work is more vital than ever. With the UK facing a critical supported housing crisis, the charity continues to advocate for systemic change. Sir Andrew has welcomed the government’s recent commitment to repeal the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act and invest £39 billion in affordable housing over the next decade.
However, he emphasises that more must be done – particularly in addressing the mental health challenges that are intrinsically linked to homelessness.
“We must work across sectors to ensure no one is left behind,” Sir Andrew added. “Alabaré is ready to lead that charge, but we need the public’s support – through donations, volunteering, and advocacy.”
As it looks to the future, Alabaré remains steadfast in its mission. With Sir Andrew’s leadership, the charity will continue to grow its impact – offering more homes, deeper healing, and greater empowerment to those in need.
Photos/video: Still attached of Sir Andrew Gregory and video of his comments at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UkoopX2nTU
