Leading homelessness charity ALABARÉ has officially appointed Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB DL as its chairman.
Sir Andrew became a trustee with the charity in July 2025 and has been working alongside outgoing chairman Malcolm Cassells in a leadership transition since then.
In joining ALABARÉ, he brings extensive experience from both the military and the charitable sectors, including his tenure as CEO of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
His appointment comes at a crucial time for ALABARÉ, with the national homelessness crisis reaching record levels in the UK, the recent publication of the Government’s homelessness strategy, and financial pressures across the sector alongside the cost-of-living crisis, which makes fundraising increasingly challenging.
2026 will also see the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill, which will hopefully prevent some of the factors that drive people towards homelessness, as well as the repeal of the Vagrancy Act, effectively decriminalising rough sleeping.
Sir Andrew said:
“I’m delighted to take on the role of chairman at ALABARÉ, ready to embrace an exciting time while continuing in our mission to break the cycle of homelessness. I’ve been getting to know the services, colleagues and volunteers across the charity over the last six months, and I’m excited to help them expand their reach and increase the impact of their work even further.
“A real focus for ALABARÉ going into the New Year will be around highlighting the intrinsic links between mental health and homelessness, and how our services, including those for young people, veterans and people with learning disabilities, aim to support clients through those issues and into a choice-led independent future.
“It is also an honour to take over from Malcolm Cassells, who has served ALABARÉ superbly during his tenure; his leadership has been pivotal to the growth of the charity’s services.”
Trustees vital to ALABARÉ’s work
The role of ALABARÉ’s chairman and trustees is voluntary, and they are hugely important to the charity, guiding the mission to break the cycle of homelessness and building on the long-term impact made within the sector.
The expertise of those on the board helps provide strategic oversight, upholds ALABARÉ’s values of care, compassion, honesty, and respect, and shapes the charity’s future.
The charity would like to thank Malcolm Cassells for his dedication to ALABARÉ and its continued growth over the last 17 years, six of those as chairman. He said:
“It has been a privilege to have been a small part of the ALABARÉ story over my time. The strength of the Board makes it an ideal time to leave, and I know my successor, Sir Andrew Gregory, will ensure the story continues and grows.
“I believe the future is an exciting one for ALABARÉ, helping many thousands of clients in the years ahead, and I’d like to thank the Board and colleagues for their unwavering support during my tenure.”
