The Management Committee

The Store and Post Office is owned and run by Findon Village Collective Ltd (FVC). A management committee has been elected by shareholders, to develop and manage the business on their behalf.

The Management Committee comprises:

 Chairman:  Patrick Colville

Patrick is Worthing born and bred, and subsequently studied social sciences and industrial relations, and then undertook management training.  He then joined the family business in the care industry, managing nine homes.  When Patrick handed the management of the business to his daughters in 2021, he became involved in the the village shop.

Vice Chair:  Annie Whitchurch

Annie took on the post of Volunteer Trainer shortly after the shop opened in 2017 when as a recently retired teacher she was keen to become more involved in the local community. She continues to work in the shop and train new volunteers.  Annie joined the Management Committee in July 2021 and became Vice Chair the following year, taking responsibility for internal communication together with some administrative tasks.

Treasurer:  Alan Holmes

Alan is a retired Chartered Accountant and was an audit partner in mid-tier National Partnerships for over 30 years. After retiring from this role he spent 6 years working with a small accounting practice providing a full range of services to mainly one-man companies before finally unplugging his adding machine!!

Company Secretary:  Richard Pratt

Buildings Advisor:  Stephen Porti

Stephen Porti is a landowner and organic farmer. His role on the committee is to look after the fabric of the building, including the flat above the shop.  Stephen is the only original member of the committee still represented, and continues to be, in his own words,  “overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of all those involved with the purchase and regeneration of the shop, and keen to be part of it.”

Compliance:  Anne Colville

Anne has lived in Findon for the last 23 years.  She trained as a nurse, and later became a Director across a group of care homes throughout East and West Sussex.  When she retired, Anne wanted to use her skills in health and social care in the local community.  She volunteers in the shop and joined of the committee with the remit of ensuring that health and safety procedures are followed.  Anne also trains volunteers in infection control and first aid.

Maintenance:  Chris Blacker

Chris was a Master Mariner, commanding large oil tankers.  When in this country, he spent time in Findon, visiting his parents who lived here.  Chris and his wife, Sharon, moved here in 2016, and, when Chris retired in 2021, he joined the committee to assist with the maintenance of the shop and the flat above.  Sharon is also very involved with the shop.

Public Relations: Jean Burden

Jean was a primary school teacher before re-training as a counsellor. She is a comparative newcomer to the village, only moving here in 2020 (as everything was closing) but has tried to overcome that particular handicap by getting stuck into things ever since. She now writes the monthly articles for the Findon News, as well as volunteering in the shop.