Shelter appoints a new director

Sampson is currently chief executive of RAPT, an agency that works with offenders who have drug and alcohol problems. Most of his work has involved campaigning and policy work in the criminal justice system, spending five years as deputy director of the Prison Reform Trust and helping set up the Prisons Ombudsman at the Home Office.

Sampson, a qualified social worker, has also worked with homeless people as a drugs and prison adviser and probation officer. He will start in his new post in January 2003.

"I'm delighted to be taking up my new position at a time when housing and homelessness are rising up the political agenda," he said.

He replaces former director Chris Holmes, who stepped down suddenly in May this year after seven years at the charity. Holmes now advises the government on selecting Beacon Councils for their work tackling homelessness.