Ken is our 29th National President

Growing up in 1950’s Exeter, the young Ken Satterly had little interest in funerals. But, why would he? His childhood was happy, his family were healthy, and if he noticed a funeral procession at all, it seemed remote and had nothing to do with him.

In 1959 however, he did become aware of something special. For in that year, after his father was struck down by illness, he abandoned plans for higher education and left school to help support the family. “I worked in a clothing store,” he says, “for the princely weekly sum of five pounds five shillings.” And, it was there, that Ken realised that he loved being with people – talking to them and helping them decide what was right for them.

So, perhaps it wasn’t surprising that when an Exmouth business colleague, a local funeral director, offered Ken a job in his ‘coffin shop’, that he jumped at the chance. “It was the opportunity of a lifetime” he says, “and I’ve never regretted it.”

By that time, Ken was married and father to three sons, Duncan, Glynn and Adrian, and as he moved around the country advancing in his professional career, the boys gradually came to share their father’s enthusiasm. Now, the Satterly’s are proprietors of a very successful funeral service based in Ken’s now home-town of Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

“What we like about being a local family business, is that we can offer a very personal service” Ken says. Sometimes, he adds, "that service extends to more than funerals. We like to be involved in the community,” he continues, “in raising funds for local charities, and also hosting our popular Christmas memorial carol service.”

Ken is our 29th National President and
his theme for this year 2009-2010 is

Unity in Diversity

The President's chosen charity for this year (2009–2010) Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.

“Running a business isn’t always easy though” Ken adds, “it has its ups and downs and sometimes it’s tough.” Helping Ken through the tough times though, has been Angie, his second wife, who he married in 2004. “I owe her a lot,” he says, “she’s very supportive and she certainly keeps me on the straight and narrow.”

His second great source of support is the BIFD. “I’ve learned the importance of education” he says, “of continuing professional development, and of being able to show that so-important licence to the public.”

Now, as President of the BIFD, what are Ken’s hopes. “I think the funeral profession is set for great changes,” he says, “and as well as maintaining my own caring service to the people of Chesham, I want to see the BIFD working in harmony, and embracing the future in a strongly focussed and professional way.”


Contact details: Ken Satterly

Office		01494 776777
Fax		01494 784735
Mobile		07715 995018
Email		bifdnatpresident@hotmail.co.uk