The boss of a Salisbury charity has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.

Andrew Lord, CEO of Alabaré, has been recognised for services to the community.

He is one of two MBE recipients in the Salisbury area.

Andrew, 52, from Amesbury, became the charity's Chief Executive in May 2000.

In that time the charity has helped thousands of vulnerable and marginalised people who are homeless or have been in urgent need of support, transforming their lives and giving them new skills and bright futures.

He said: “It is a great honour to receive this award. I have fully enjoyed my 20 years at Alabaré, seeing a wonderful team deliver care and support to vulnerable people in Wiltshire and further afield.

"With the team at Alabaré we have made vast strides in helping more and more people in need across our region, giving them the skills and support they need to rebuild their lives. But our work in ending homelessness is not finished. So whilst the award marks what we have achieved, there is much to do.

"This winter could be one of the hardest yet, with Covid still dominating our lives, and more people at risk of homelessness as a result of the economic turmoil from lockdown. I am proud and glad to be here with our staff team, our supporters and partner agencies to support all those in crisis and need in the coming months and years, and help each towards a new, independent and fulfilling."

Under Andrew’s leadership Alabaré has developed many new services such as its dedicated Homes for Veterans programme, which now houses over 100 ex-Armed Forces personnel every night, and new mental health service, Riverside Sanctuary.

Malcolm Cassells, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Alabaré said: "I am delighted that Andrew Lord has been named in the Queen’s honours. Andrew has worked tirelessly over the past twenty years as the Chief Executive of ‘Alabaré Christian Care and Support’ to provide care and facilities for the most disadvantaged people in our society.

"It is an area of work which often doesn’t get acknowledged and yet without the commitment of people such as Andrew there would be many more homeless people on the streets. I also believe that this honour will be welcomed by the many staff and volunteers within Alabaré, who provide care in often very difficult circumstances, as a recognition of their work."