Interview: Duncan Revolta - Candidate for Parish Councillor
Duncan Revolta is standing in the by-election for Parish Councillor. chilbolton.news went to find out more about him and what he wants to achieve.
Background
Duncan Revolta was born in North London and went to Pinner Grammar School. He started his career at the insurance company General Accident, and by the age of 21 was running a branch. He completed his professional qualifications and rose even further through the ranks until he was running an entire region.
After 25 years, he decided to start out on his own. He founded a pensions consultancy which now employs 30 staff and boasts a number of prestigious clients.
He raised his family in Winchester, but three years ago he moved with his wife, Nicola, to Chilbolton.
He is in the process of selling his business and, facing retirement, says he has “the time and energy to apply to a new challenge.”
He has three children, all of whom went to Westgate School in Winchester, and all still live locally.
Why Parish Councillor?
Asked what motivated him to stand for Parish Councillor, he provides a striking reply: “I can’t imagine bullying anybody.” He adds that the Parish Council is “a little bit dysfunctional” and that there “might be the need for another hand on the tiller”
His home overlooks the land proposed for the development of new homes. He says “The thought of building 100 homes within view of our back garden would be distressing for us. I don’t want that to happen.”
On the scale of the development, he says that it’s an “unhealthy drive to build that nobody supports” apart from the landowner and some Parish Councillors.
His view is “We can’t possibly solve the UK housing crisis on our own.”
Personal qualities
How is a career in insurance relevant to being a Parish Councillor? He is clear that being an entrepreneur and running his own business has given him insight into commercial realities.
Additionally, working in such a highly regulated industry, he is keenly aware of the importance of trust, both as a professional responsibility but also as a personal characteristic.
We ask Duncan about his leaflet being delivered to electors in Chilbolton: where did the phrase “Clear thinking, straight talking” come from?
He smiles, “At the pension consultancy I started, it was our tagline.” He explains that it wasn’t just a motto, but represented the ethos of the business, something he carries over into his personal life.
Development of 25 homes
On the proposed 25-home development, he is clear: “We must have a referendum. It’s for parishioners to say ‘Yes’”. He says that the Parish Council must “make their case.”
And if the Village does vote ‘Yes’? “I’d be happy to back that”, he says. “The fact the village was promised a referendum has been brushed under the carpet.”
He is critical of the way the Parish Council has dealt with the development proposal. “The December meeting was a car crash,” he says. “They’ve probably tried to do their best, but they are trying to support something they don’t really understand. James Painter is running this.”
Trust and conflicts of interest
On the issue of conflicts of interest, he says “I have no problem with people building their own homes.” He built his family house in Winchester before moving to Chilbolton. He points out that “It’s an open market.”
A Parish Councillor putting their name on a list for a self-build home is not a problem, “as long as there isn’t preferential treatment”, he says. “But if they’re at the top of the list, that would be a massive conflict.”
In his view, the Parish Council, so far, hasn’t addressed the “vested interest” issue. “If there isn’t a vested interest, then come out and say there isn’t one.”
On Cllr Julian Hudson’s recent article in the Parish Magazine he says “I don’t agree with him at all. I think he has misread the criticism [of the Parish Council].”
What else is important?
Duncan believes that the temporary Locum Clerk has taken advantage of the Parish Council. “All those hours on the bill. He’s probably doing everything right for a Town Council. It’s not appropriate for a village the size of Chilbolton. A functioning relationship with the Clerk is key.”
Chilbolton Community Land Trust
He thinks that CCLT is facing a “bit of an over-reach in terms of experience.” He is also sceptical about their ability to deliver: “They don’t have any land. They will need to be gifted some.”
He says “They won’t be able to run [the new homes], that’s a terrible idea.” He thinks the work should be contracted out to companies like Sovereign or Aster, who both have experience and scale in the sector.
He is uncomfortable with how potential tenants will be screened and how “having local connections” is determined, and with the suggestion that tenants could be “kicked out” when their income reaches a certain level.
Contribution
We ask which committees he would be interested in serving on. “The Ways and Means Committee,” he says. Interestingly, this committee doesn’t exist.
He explains that there are currently too many committees. “Having a Staffing Committee, when the Parish Council has only one employee, doesn’t make sense”.
He has already joined one of the Working Groups of the CDC, investigating energy usage and sustainability.
His keen interest in sustainability and biodiversity extends to his own life. At home he has repositioned 250 trees, to create a “Coronation Copse”, and has planted 20 disease-resistant elm trees, with hopes of planting 20 more.
He and Nicola have planted two meadows and want to create a pond. He is also going to install solar panels.
They opened their garden as part of Village “Open Gardens”. In Summer 2026 they are hoping to host the Village Fete, “subject to parking”
Life in Chilbolton
One of the things that attracted him to the village was that he could walk to the shop. The fact that there was a pub in the Village was an added bonus. “It’s a community thing” he says.
He recalls something said at one of the Village meetings by a resident, with which he agrees: “The idea of moving to a village is that it stays a village.”
Duncan can often be seen around the Village walking his two Border Collies - Frankie and Bonny.
He is a lifelong supporter of Chelsea Football Club and has been a season-ticket holder since 1995. He has travelled all over Europe following the Club
The Election
Duncan is realistic about the challenges of standing for election. Jokingly, he says “I’ve got a strange last name, I’ve only been in the Village three years, and I’m a Chelsea season ticket holder.” But he makes it clear that he is a serious candidate, and that he is willing to work hard if he is elected.
“I never trust someone who says ‘Trust me’, but I am a trusting guy.” he says. “I care about Chilbolton, and its longevity. I have sympathy for the view that young people should be able to live here. But we need to keep the nature and feel of the Village.”