John Ballard

Managing Director, 30 years service

Co-founder of Britannia Beckwith with fellow director’s Claire Ballard and Barry Clark. Beckwith Removals was purchased from retiring Alfred Beckwith who started the company in 1926. Responsible for the day to day running and operations, human resources, business development.

Interests out of Work.

Cricket aficionado who has finally retired from playing and is now serving on the committee of his local cricket club. An active Parish Councillor, also enjoys music from opera to folk, gardening, reading, walking, fine wine and eating.

Simon Clark

Director, 14 years service

Barry and Sue’s son who joined the company in 2000 following a career in logistics and freight forwarding. He is responsible for our European Removals services where his encyclopaedic knowledge of European postcodes has served the company well. This department has been so successful it now accounts for 55% of the annual company turnover.

Interests out of Work.

Keen supporter of Brighton and Hove Albion. Enjoys socialising with friends and colleagues in the industry.

Cameron Ballard

Director, 8 years service

John’s youngest son officially joined in 2009 but has been working on the vans when school allowed since 14. Now carries out the majority of the company’s estimates and has been responsible for dragging Beckwith’s marketing strategy into the 21st century.

Interests out of Work.

Cameron enjoys playing most sports, particularly cricket. He plays for Hailsham Cricket Club’s 1 XI, travelling, the cinema and eating out.

Tina Tyson

Office Manager, 9 years serivce

Simon’s assistant, and maintains storage records. Tina also has a background in freight forwarding and with Simon, is responsible for co-ordinating vehicles for European Removals runs and organising all the paperwork that goes with it.

Interests out of Work.

Life aside of work is dominated by her children, Max and Tegan who seem to spend every moment in the swimming pool, where they are very successful members of Brighton’s swimming club team.

Sue Clark

(Retired), 30 years service

Barry’s wife and Simon’s mother. Has been a Backbone of the company since day 1. After recently retiring is now on standby to cover any sick days when needed.

Interests out of Work.

Sue loves her holidays with Barry. Truly family orientated, does not have a lot of time for her own interests, enjoys reading and concerts.

Viv Ford

Bookkeeper, 10 years service

Part time bookkeeper, payroll and credit control, prepares company accounts for accountants.

Interests out of Work.

Her twin grandson’s, DIY, needlework and gardening.

Barry Clark

Company Foreman, 30 years service

Co-founder of the business with John and Claire. As he approaches retirement still responsible for driving one of our two road trains all round Europe and carrying out large high quality and demanding moves. All staff have learned from his hard earned knowledge.

Interests out of Work.

Loves his holidays with wife Sue, which have recently included China, India, Australia and New Zealand. Brighton and Hove Albion season ticket holder who rarely misses a home game.

Shane Urry

HGV Class CE, HGV Driver, 25 years service

Longest serving employee but since the move has taken responsibility for the warehouse organisation as well as continuing with his driving duties.

Interests out of Work.

Keen football fan but for some unknown reason supports Tottenham Hotspur, well I suppose someone has to! Shane also enjoys motor sports in all its aspects. Very sociable and can often be found in one of Seaford’s public houses.

Chris Cornford

HGV Class CE, European Driver, 10 years service

There are not many corners of Europe that “Pops” has not manoeuvred his road train (5 container van and 4 container trailer) since he joined us.  Chris known affectionately as “Pops” as he is Mark’s father and now the senior member of the outside staff, he also has 12 grandchildren.

Interests out of Work.

Every spare day off Chris seems to spend fishing, not sure when his wife sees him!! A Chelsea fan he and Mark try and get to Stamford Bridge at least twice a season.

Robert (Taff) Aukitt

HGV Class CE, HGV Driver, 14 years service

Taff started on the company as a porter and has worked up to an HGV class CE which means he can do road train duties.

Interests out of Work.

A competitive and talented golfer, a member of Seaford and Blatchington Golf Club for whom he plays regularly for.  His golfing commitments compete for his time with his full time job.  As a company we are always very supportive of our employees sporting activities.

Chris Johns

HGV Class CE Driver, 2 years service

Mark Cornford

HGB Driver Class D, 10 years service

Mark has just passed his HGV test, Mark joined us soon after his father, having learnt his skills with one of our major competitors.  A competent packer, he will now take over one of our larger vans as a driver/foreman.  One of the hardest workers on the firm.

Interests out of Work

Recently married to Sarah they really enjoy their holidays, in the last year travelling to Egypt, New York and Mexico.  Like his father, Chris, he supports Chelsea and enjoys relaxing in his local and playing pool.

Dan Field

HGV Driver Class D, 6 years service.

The quiet one.  Dan just likes to get on with the job.  He is  versatile and able to turn his hand to packing, dismantling and reassembling.  A good, reliable worker.

Interests out of work

Socialising with family and friends.  Taking part in water sports when time and work allows.  He plays squash regularly.  His favourite TV shows are Storage Hunters and Top Gear while eating Chilli con carne.

Rob Walters

7.5 ton Driver, 12 years service.

Rob is truly Mr Versatile, big jobs, little jobs, out of hours, evenings and weekend work Rob will always be involved.  A great communicator, one of our most experienced and one of our best all round removal men.

Interests out of Work.

Music is Rob’s relaxation and hobby.   He is a DJ and runs discos for all occasions.  Rob is a fundraiser/volunteer for several local charities associated with deaf children.  Also known to enjoy a pint and game of pool.

Fraser Pentecost

3.5 ton Driver, Export Packer, 6 Years Service

Nothing ever seems to faze Fraser, he just accepts all of the difficulties that removals can throw at him and carries on.  An extremely competent export packer whose skills were honed during a spell working in New Zealand for New Zealand Van Lines.

Interests out of Work. 

Socialising with friends, loves listening to music, particularly dance music (not Strictly!).  Another Chelsea supporter.

Jay Thomas

3.5 ton Driver/Packer, 4 years service

Leon (Ben) Porter

Foreman/Packer, 4 years service.

Leon is a true gentleman, certainly one of the most popular members of staff with both work colleagues and customers, always calm, concerned and utterly professional in his approach to work.

Interests out of Work

Devoted husband of Claire and daughter, Cookie.  Ben’s main interest is the rest of the human race and is often to be seen reading some highbrow tome.  With interests in politics (not party politics) and theology (not a church goer) more religions of the world.

James Shrub

Packer/Porter. 9 years service

Lee Baldwin

Export Packer/Porter. 12 years service

“Mr Europe” Lee is our number one European porter spending more time working out of the country than in it.  Lee returned early in 2015 after taking a year’s sabbatical to allow his wife to work!  It’s great that he is back and his return coincided with the busiest summer we have experienced.

Interests out of Work

A devoted father to his two girls. On the downside he is an Arsenal supporter.

Ryan Brown

Porter, 2 years service

Reece Clark

Porter, 2 years service

Third generation of the Clark dynasty.  His grandfather, Barry was a founding director and his father, Simon, has now taken over.  A quiet, unassuming, keen and capable young man who willingly accepts responsibility.

Interests out of Work

Runs to keep fit.  Loves socialising with friends and family.  A keen Seagulls supporter, he rarely misses a home game.

Mathew Crook

Porter, 2 years service