Meet the team behind Queensgate
Recent News
Study suggests Almshouse residents may live longer
28th May, 2026A statement from Interested Parties
The Beverley Housing Charity own a small parcel of disused land above the Queensgate Allotments. The Charity are considering options to reuse this site to provide further much needed affordable almshouses.
The early team helping to explore Queensgate brings together experience in almshouse provision, community development and thoughtful design. At this stage, Beverley Housing Charity believes it is important that the people involved reflect the values of listening, collaboration, wellbeing and respect for place.
Andrew Barber OBE, Chief Executive, Beverley Housing Charity
Andrew leads Beverley Housing Charity and brings extensive experience in charity leadership, partnership working and community development across Hull and the East Riding. His involvement in Queensgate reflects a belief that housing should do more than provide a home — it should help people live well, remain independent and feel part of a connected community.
Before joining Beverley Housing Charity in 2022, Andrew established the HEY Smile Foundation and helped grow it into a leading infrastructure charity for Hull and East Yorkshire. His work included developing partnerships around green social prescribing, an approach that recognises the role of nature, community activity and local support in improving health and wellbeing.
Andrew and the Executive team at Beverley Housing Charity are supported by a highly skilled board of Directors with experience in social care, housing, NHS, finance, construction, education and facilities management.
Combining the power of nature with the value of affordable and accessible homes can be transformational. At Queensgate, we want to explore what is possible in a way that works for existing users of the site, future residents and the wider Beverley community.
Rowan Haysom RIBA, Director, Haysom Ward Miller Architects
Rowan brings award-winning experience in Almshouse design and resident engagement. Through the work of Haysom Ward Miller Architects, he and his team have built a strong track record of listening to residents, understanding local context and shaping developments that respond to the needs of both communities and future occupants.
Their award-winning work at Mores Meadows demonstrated how Almshouse development can be shaped through meaningful engagement and thoughtful design. That experience is relevant to Queensgate because it shows the importance of working with communities, not doing something to them, and of creating places that reflect both need and character.
The journey from early conversations to delivery is never a sprint, and at every stage the voice of the community matters. What has impressed me about Beverley Housing Charity is the clear culture of working with people, listening carefully and wanting to create something that genuinely serves the community.