Councillors

Nicky Gould 

I have lived in the village for 11 years. This is my second term as a Councillor. I am part of the Traffic, Neighbourhood Plan and Community Asset Groups. Our aim is to match the aspirations of our villagers to maintain a thriving, safe and inclusive community. We use the policies set out in our 2016 Neighbourhood Plan as our reference points. It is challenging and frustrating at times, but also rewarding to (slowly) bring about change. I am also one of the organisers of the village fete, something that is enjoyed by all, and follows these principles. We are all lucky to live in this beautiful village.

Email: nicky.gould@balcombeparishcouncil.com  Tel No: 01444 811708

Manouchehr Nahvi 

I moved to Balcombe just over 2 years ago having previously lived in London, Surrey and Bedfordshire. I am a retired Transport Planning Consultant with over 40 years of experience, most of it leading on projects in Sustainable Transport, Road Safety and Traffic Modelling. I have a long record of liaisons with authorities responsible for Transport Planning, Road Safety and planning such as DFT, County Councils, District Councils, and the DVSA etc. I enjoy living in Balcombe; a beautiful village with community inspired residents. I hope my past professional experience will help me to be a useful addition to this council and the residents of Balcombe.

Email:  manouchehr.nahvi@balcombeparishcouncil.com

Nick Beecroft

My family and I have lived in Balcombe for 13 years, and near Bolney for 8 before that, but I have been playing cricket for Balcombe C.C. for 25 years! Now I am fully retired, I would like to give more back to this marvellous village. Following a 27-year executive career in ‘The City’, during which I ran global trading and sales businesses, I became a Non-Exec Director for 12 years, serving on the boards of 5 financial services firms. At several of these firms I was Senior Independent Director or Chairman, and also chaired Remuneration, Nominations, and Audit and Risk, committees. During this period, I also founded and ran my own small hedge fund. 

I am Chair of Balcombe Community Pub Ltd; the village-owned freeholder for the Half Moon pub, a member of the Christmas Tree Society, and also of the Speedwatch group. As an ex-commuter, I empathize with villagers’ concerns re our rail services, and I’m also keen to keep our roads safe, and to ensure the provision of as much affordable housing as possible, without damaging the unique character of the village. 

Email: nick.beecroft@balcombeparishcouncil.com

Alison Stevenson – Chairman

I came to Balcombe in 1971 and grew up here. Moving back in 2000 I have brought up my 2 children here and have been active on village organisations such as the PTA, the Gardeners’ Association and Garden Guerrillas. My husband is a Cub Leader. I am a Civil Engineer working on major infrastructure projects. Close to home I widened the A23 from Warninglid to Handcross and I am currently working on HS2.

I have had the pleasure of serving as a Councillor since 2003, in which time I built up a network of relationships with partner organisations and have seen many village projects to fruition. The mini roundabout at the school, ripple print and reduced speed limits on approaches to the village, Newlands Parking restrictions, installing the current playground on the Rec, the Neighbourhood Plan, acquiring Bramble Hall to name a few.

In the next year I will be working on the detailed design for enhancing the village centre. I will continue to influence the application of the Objectives of the Neighbourhood Plan both in terms of housing developments and projects to achieve the non-housing aims.  I will be involved in our 5 year review of the plan and any recommendation of changes.

Email: alison.stevenson@balcombeparishcouncil.com  Tel No: 01444 811676

Jo Blundell

I moved to Balcombe relatively recently in early 2022 with my partner and 5-year-old son.  We feel very much part of the village already and love living here.  I started my career in the NHS and I’ve worked in or around public services including health, local government and central government for over 30 years in various roles.  I have a Masters in Service Design and split my time between being a Design Expert for the Design Council and co-leading a charity – Place Matters that works with local communities to tackle complex social challenges.  I am new to the Parish Council and look forward to finding ways I can add value to our lovely community.

Email:  joanne.blundell@balcombeparishcouncil.com  

Lloyd Thompsett – Vice Chair

I have lived in the village since 2015 and I enjoy the village lifestyle, community and the beautiful countryside around. I am the finance director of a local software company having previously worked at senior level within IT. I have been a member of Rotaract and Lions, serving on many committees and holding the chair and serving as a middle school governor. I bring my previous experience in project management and financial management to my role on the council. In my first term as a councillor, I am involved with the Neighbourhood Planning and Traffic groups helping to support our Plan and the requirements of the village. I am also on the Village Fete committee for the last few years and enjoy the involvement. The village idyll needs to be protected to ensure Balcombe remains the village we all enjoy and I hope to contribute to that future during my tenure.

Email:   lloyd.thompsett@balcombeparishcouncil.com  

Massi Smith

I moved to Balcombe in 2017 with my husband (who grew up in Balcombe) and my two children. Since then, I have been active on village organisations such as the Baby and Toddler’s Group. Besides being a full-time mum, I also work part-time as a consultant for a firm in the City that specialises in Capital Markets Intelligence and Investor Relations. I have particular interest in helping parents and their children. I bring my experience in project management, presentation, negotiation and stakeholder management to my role. Originally from Italy, I initially moved to London to pursue a university degree almost 20 years ago. I have a Master’s degree in Political Economy from LSE and I speak 4 languages.

Email:  massi.smith@balcombeparishcouncil.com  

Paul Williams

Although most of my life was living and working in London, I was born in a village in Wales about the same size as Balcombe. When I came to live in Balcombe ten years ago, I realised how a village community meant so much. My wife Julie and I live at 3 & 4 St James Cottages, Haywards Heath Road. We have between us five sons, ten grandchildren and one Labrador! Since living in Balcombe I have joined the village Gardeners Association, and I am an enthusiastic allotment gardener. I am a member and supporter of Haywards Heath Rugby Club, and a playing member of Haywards Heath Golf Club.

All of my working life has been in advertising, after the experience of large agencies, thirty years ago we formed a creative agency which I ran until I retired two years ago. Since retiring I have joined the gardener’s association and enjoy the fruits of the allotment. Walking our dog “Ruby” each day around Balcombe and its environment have made me appreciate how lucky we are to live here. 

With this in mind at the beginning of the year I had the opportunity to join the Parish Council so that I could get involved, be active and committed to work on projects to conserve and develop this very friendly and desirable village.

Email:paul.williams@balcombeparishcouncil.com

Helen Caudrey

I have lived in Balcombe for 2 years with my fiancé and our son and joined the parish council last summer. We have grown to love the village in the relatively short time we’ve been here, including for its beautiful setting and the impressive number of activities that are organised.

I am glad to be able to contribute to protecting and enhancing the village for everyone and I am particularly interested in improving accessibility in the village. This priority is aided by my being a Chartered Building Surveyor, although in my career I now specialise in dispute resolution in the construction industry.

Email: helen.caudrey@balcombeparishcouncil.com

Nick Major

My wife, Jane and I have two sons, George and Tom, both of whom have left home.  We moved to Balcombe in February 2022 and we have settled in very well.  I would like to contribute to what we have found to be a very friendly village. My working career has been as jeweller and became a Freeman of the City of London.  This was in recognition of my services to the jewellery industry. I have been Chairman of the National Association of Goldsmiths [Now the National Association of Jewellers]. I have served as the President of the East Grinstead Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the East Grinstead Lawn Tennis and Squash Rackets Club. I feel that my previous experience and knowledge I have gained will enable me support the Parish Council to benefit the community of Balcombe. 

Email: nicholas.major@balcombeparishcouncil.com

Ian Black 

My primary driver for putting myself forwards is giving something back to the community. My family and I have been warmly welcomed into Balcombe and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting involved with local events and meeting people in the village. I grew up in a village in Scotland and my family were all involved with various charities, committees and the church. As I put down roots in the village with my family, I am keen to try and give something back to Balcombe and thought there would be no better way than through the Parish Council. As I have two young girls, I am particularly passionate about youth provisions and I also have a deep interest in property and planning.  Brought up and educated in Scotland (Borders and East Lothian) until the age of 23. Lived and worked in London until 2021 and relocated with my family to Sussex. I live with my wife Adelaide and my two daughters.

I am an Executive Search Consultant and have been in the executive search and recruitment industry for the past 14 years, specialising in risk and control in the financial services industry. I started my career in property in Edinburgh before moving South to start work in London. I have a BSc in Geography from the University of St Andrews and a MSc in Management from the University of Edinburgh.

Email: ian.black@balcombeparishcouncil.com