British Institute Of Funeral Directors

Meet The Team

National President

National President

Amanda set her business up in Halifax, West Yorkshire over 16 years ago, after working as a Funeral Director for Co-Operative Funeralcare, where she trained and gained her Diploma in Funeral Directing

She sold her home and completely renovated an old pub in 2010, turning it into a modern and beautiful Funeral Parlour, and is passionate about her work and is keen to support other Independent Funeral Directors, and nurture new ones.

She believes that all Funeral Directors should be educated and qualified, especially in light of further REGULATIONS as the Government look into our industry over the coming years, and that we should come together for the common cause of looking after bereaved families through an ‘Educated Profession’. She is passionate about supporting independent funeral directors – especially after all of the challenges that the Pandemic gave rise to.

She has always believed that fully qualified funeral directors need to stick together for the common cause of ‘professionally looking after bereaved families’

Amanda PinkFirst Vice President

Amanda began her BIFD journey back in 2015 when she became a student member, working alongside her husband. Since then she has gone on to complete not only the certificate but also the Diploma course and examination as well.

Amanda works as an Independent Funeral Director covering Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire and is passionate about families having the right to make as many of their own choices when it comes to saying goodbye to their loved ones.

Outside of work and the BIFD Amanda is keen on being out and about in the countryside with her dogs and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Toy Shop Marsden Huddersfield

Second Vice President

As a qualified tutor in both Embalming and the BIFD Diploma, Clive is passionate about education in the funeral profession for which he has worked for the past 30 years.

In 2015 Clive started working with Kenyon International attending disasters around the world, after which he was invited to become an Associate Member where he continues to give advice and support relating to mortuary facilities, repatriation and Funeral Rites. Clive strongly believes that anyone with a passion for our profession can be guided through the BIFD Diploma.

Bifd40 Lebeauphotography 351

Immediate Past President

Jem started in the funeral profession in 2009 when a bearer failed to arrive one day and he stepped in at short notice. After enjoying the experience, he decided to take on the job and then began the process of becoming a funeral director.

In 2014 Jem decided to pursue further education and began studying for the Certificate in Funeral Services. This certificate was completed in 4 months, and this pass allowed him to study and receive a Diploma in Funeral Services. Having completed this course in 7 months, Jem now has the distinction of holding one of the highest qualifications in the industry. These qualifications and continued CPD have allowed him to become a fully licensed member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors, a title that he is incredibly proud of, and in October 2022 he was appointed as the National President. He has subsequently trained and been accredited as an Examiner for the Institute.

staff photoImmediate Past President

I have worked in the funeral sector for over 30 years, joining straight out of school into the family business, becoming with my brother and sister the fifth generation of the family to work in S Stibbards and Sons funeral director, Est 1867.

One of my first roles was to varnish, wax and fit the coffins, later learning the carpentry involved in making a coffin too.

During this time, I also took part in funerals and the duty rota, spending many a cold night looking after the loved one of our clients.

From these early beginnings, I quickly became involved in all aspect of the funeral profession, gaining the diploma in embalming and the diploma in funeral directing.

As a small diversion to my funeral directing career in spent several years working with and finally managing our stone masonry business, later studying an introduction into health and safety, to fulfil a position as the company grew over the years.

I have always lived near and around the communities supported by the business, which enables those community to feel safe in choosing our company to look after their loved ones.

Care for the deceased and an abundance of learning has enabled me to adapt and change to the roles I have been given.

These principles of care and understanding are the foundation to the education program of the BIFD, which we hope our institute can help provide to all our fellow professionals in our sector.

Editor Hayley Bell Profile PicEditor of the Journal

When I left school, I did some voluntary work with a large chain funeral director. They trained me until
I was offered a job, aged 17 as a receptionist. That was 21 years ago.


While I enjoyed the fast-paced environment of looking after various members of senior management,
being promoted to Funeral Co-ordinator in my own branch, sitting and passing the NAFD Diploma;
the restrictions of corporate targets and pressure to up-sell to achieve maximum profit, I decided to
accept an offer from an Independent Funeral Director in 2007, where I spent 11 happy years working along the business owner. Following a short period of working as a freelance consultant funeral director, I set up my own business
with my partner, Richard after relocating from Portsmouth to Gosport in 2019.

I have been a licensed member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors since 2017 and became a part of the Editorial Team under the wing of former editor David Gresty in 2020. I learned so much about the Institute and the publications from David and I stepped into the Editor’s role when David retired.

In 2020 I took the Institutes accredited Examiner’s Certificate Course, and am enjoying working alongside the education and examination teams.In my downtime, I enjoy spending time with my partner and our three dogs, and attending concerts (pre-covid)

Officers

PositionNameEmail
National PresidentAmanda Dalbyadmin@bifd.org.uk
First Vice PresidentAmanda Pink 
Second Vice PresidentClive Pearson 
Immediate Past PresidentJeremy Mead 
Chair of EducationAndrew Floyda.floyd.bifd.edu@gmail.com
PR OfficerHayley Belljournal@bifd.org.uk
AdministrationNational Officeadmin@bifd.org.uk
TreasurerKaren Meadtreasurer@bifd.org.uk

BIFD Regional Directors

Graeme Easton

Hayley Owen-Barker

Hayley Bell

David Capper

Sophie Cross

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