Meet the Team

CHAIR

I’m an accountant by profession and work for a leading property services company, advising on commercial property transactions, so my professional experience has some relevance I feel I can use to help us achieve our goal.

Steph, Ava, Lenny and I love living in East Hoathly. It’s where Steph grew up and we came back in 2012 to be closer to friends and family. We love the sense of community and a big part of that is being able to meet at the pub where everyone knows your name! It was so disappointing when the Foresters Arms was closed and redeveloped, and we just cannot let that happen to the Kings Head. Based upon that experience I want to do everything I can to help secure the Kings Head’s future as a community pub.

VICE CHAIR

I work for a leading global professional services company, delivering financially and environmentally sustainable business operations with positive social impact. I hope to use my knowledge and skills to help secure the pub’s future for the benefit of our entire community, so it can thrive as a fantastic place to live, work and visit.

I moved to East Hoathly with my husband Kevin in 2019. Having a place to meet people, make new friends and get involved in village life was hugely important when deciding where to live – so access to a local pub was key to us buying a house here. We’ve met many friends at the Kings Head, and Kevin and I now run the monthly pub quiz, which brings people together and raises funds for the village. So, I understand the difference having somewhere to connect and be part of the community can make.

SECRETARY & ACTING TREASURER

I worked in NHS Finance and Procurement for over 44 years. I hope that my work and life experiences will be put to good use in securing the pub as a benefit for the community.

I have lived in East Hoathly with my partner since 1999. We knew immediately that this was the place for us to move to, but not knowing anyone in the village, the pub was the ideal place to meet, socialise and be part of the community. Over the years we have made many long-lasting friends and acquaintances.

WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCIL

With previous experience of running my own businesses for 40 years (some in the licenced trade) coupled with being a Licencing Committee member for Wealden District Council, I am delighted to be a member of the team set up to ensure the continued success and long term future of the Kings Head, and to secure it as a vital part of the ‘beating heart’ of our community for generations to come.

I moved to East Hoathly in July 2016 and immediately felt a part of this wonderful community. So strong was this bond that three years later, when a vacancy occurred, I decided to stand for election as District Councillor to represent the Ward of East Hoathly with Halland, Chiddingly and Waldron. Since then, my work as Ward Councillor has involved interaction with hundreds of locals and the significance and importance of each village having a vibrant pub acting as its community ‘hub’ has been positively demonstrated to me time and time again.

EAST HOATHLY WITH HALLAND PARISH COUNCIL

I am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development and have held HR roles in both Blue-Chip companies and local businesses over the last 30 years. Employees form a critical part of any business, and I hope to bring my skills and experiences within both HR and Change Management to the Kings Head to help ensure the future of the pub is secured for our community and becomes an Employer of Choice.

I have lived in this area of East Sussex since childhood, attending school in Uckfield as well as Plumpton College and Brighton University. As a family we moved to East Hoathly 15 years ago and my three children attended the village primary school. As a Parish Councillor I'm passionate about our community and strongly believe the Kings Head forms an exceptionally important social hub in our Parish.

As a procurement consultant, I specialise in business transformation in a variety of industries, most recently financial services and pharmaceuticals. Whilst I love visiting many amazing places across the globe for my work, coming back to where I feel at home has been so important to me. I hope my experiences and skills can help the Kings Head thrive and further develop its unique position – as the centre of the community.

I’ve loved living in Barham near East Hoathly since 2016, after a steer from friends that East Hoathly was a thriving and friendly village with an embracing community.  A great recommendation! The Kings Head team has made me so very welcome, enabling me to meet and make new friends, join local groups and societies and really feel part of this lovely community.

I have lived in East Hoathly from a very young age and had an active role in the community. I served on the Playing Fields Committee as Treasurer through the 1980s and on the Parish Council from 1995 to 2003. I’ve taken active part in East Hoathly and Halland Carnival Society and am currently a Director. I’m a Quantity Surveyor and my current employment is Bursar of a local Independent School.

Growing up in the village, the pubs have been an important place to meet and socialise and be part of an active community.  Having lost the Foresters Arms several years ago, I believe that we have an opportunity to secure the Kings Head for the benefit of all, so that the village can continue to be a great place to live and visit.

For the last 30 years I’ve worked in our family property company, constructing, maintaining and managing properties including several listed buildings. I also live in a listed property, so know only too well what it takes to look after them. I think a pub is the hub of the village - without one, it can lose its identity. This group represents a cross-section of people who all have one thing we are trying to achieve.

I was born in the village, moved away, returned in 2000 and have lived here ever since. I’m married to Paula (who I met in the Kings Head pub!) and we have two boys. Why do I love the village? There are always friendly faces about and everyone in the village seems happy. I like the character of the place and I like my boys growing up in a village with other kids around them.

My career as an electronic engineer has been a long one, with 15 years working for semiconductor manufacturers and 35 years in electronics-related companies having roles in design, development, sales, marketing and management. Hopefully, this wide experience may enable me to make a positive contribution to this project.

I’ve lived in East Hoathly since 2015. We had spent nearly 40 years in Bedfordshire, so it was a big change when we moved here to be closer to our three children and their families. However, we counted ourselves lucky to find a home in a friendly village with great community spirit. As a former Chair and Councillor of the Parish Council, I recognise the value of the Kings Head as the ‘heart’ of this active network of people that form the social interactions of the two villages of the Parish. As such, I wanted to support the initiative to continue and maintain that position for the future.

I've lived in the village for nearly 28 years and have been in the hospitality industry all my working life (45 years), primarily managing hotels but also running pubs. I was landlord / tenant of the Foresters Arms for 6 years from 1997 and more recently the Star Inn at Old Heathfield. I've been a Parish Councillor and am a committee member of both the East Hoathly & Halland’s Twinning Association and Tennis Club.

In my time I've seen the village grow and change. I moved into East Hoathly soon after the bypass was opened, and many would say this was the beginning of the end from a pub point of view. But I believe it is just another challenge, which is why we need to keep the Kings Head alive and well.

I’ve lived in East Hoathly for over 40 years. My life and work have centred around the village letting flats and developing small start-up business units. I also founded, co-owned and was head brewer at 1648 Brewing Co. before selling in 2011.

The Kings Head and the Foresters Arms were key places for myself, family, friends and many villagers as a place to meet after work for a couple of pints, do a bit of business, share meals and attend many a birthday / anniversary / wedding party, Carnival Society event, club or society meeting, quiz night, race night or BBQ. The Community Benefit Society will preserve the Kings Head for the community as an essential hub for individuals, local businesses, clubs and societies - forever. I would like to use my knowledge and skills to help achieve that goal.

I am currently a property manager and have experience in the military, logistics and engineering.  I am committed to working to ensure that the village pub remains at the centre of our community.

My family has lived in East Hoathly since 1994. We have all enjoyed and benefited hugely from the vigour and openness of this community. I am involved in many of the local societies and activities for which this village is renowned, including the Neighbourhood Plan group. Much time has been spent in the village pub planning community events, taking part in them or relaxing after them.