We’re delighted to welcome two new members to our board of Trustees! Liz Bisset has joined as our new Chair, alongside Helen Mcallister as a Trustee. Learn more about them below.

Liz Bisset – Chair

Liz was appointed Chair of the Trustees in February 2025. A Cambridge resident, she is committed to making the city a more supportive and inclusive place, where everyone has the right to a secure home as the foundation for reaching their potential.

With a background as Director of Housing and Community Services in Cambridge, Liz now works as a consultant and coach. She brings valuable experience from serving on a housing association board, acting as treasurer for a local charity, and advising the government on fuel poverty. Her coaching approach is collaborative and people-focused, while her senior management experience provides strategic insight into homelessness and the life-changing impact of secure housing and support. As a consultant, she remains up to date on national trends in homelessness and innovative approaches to service improvement.

As Chair, Liz aims to build a strong and well-connected board, fostering close relationships between trustees and staff while ensuring that both governance and strategic direction support the organisation’s smooth operation. She is also passionate about raising Cambridge Cyrenians’ profile and strengthening collaboration with other homelessness charities in the city.

Liz looks forward to meeting staff and residents, gaining deeper insight into their experiences, and championing the vital work of Cambridge Cyrenians.

Helen Mcallister – Trustee

Helen recently concluded a 21-year career at a university, where she was responsible for language and intercultural services, as well as the internationalisation of the student experience. Earlier in her career, Helen worked as an English language teacher, gaining experience in Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and Switzerland, before becoming the Director of Studies at a language school in Covent Garden.

Though now retired from her university role, she will continue to work on a freelance basis, focussing on quality assurance in the university sector and conducting HR investigations for a consultancy firm. Previously, Helen volunteered for St Mungo’s and a winter night shelter run by Southwark Cathedral, motivated by the number of homeless individuals she saw during her daily commute in London. After relocating to Cambridgeshire in late 2023, Helen is eager to continue supporting homeless individuals through their work with Cambridge Cyrenians.

Outside of her professional and voluntary roles, Helen enjoys volunteering for Cambridge National Trust, where she mainly contributes to gardening projects, including at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve. She also serves as a trustee for the village hall in Wicken, where she lives with her daughter, and they are both enjoying the countryside lifestyle after many years in London.

Join our board of Trustees!We’re looking for dedicated individuals to join our board of trustees – people who share our vision and want to help shape our work. If you bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment, and can offer fresh perspectives to broaden our board’s thinking, we’d love to hear from you!Find out more