John Shepherd joins the company as sales director. The 42-year-old has 20 years’ experience in sales, having worked as senior vice president at Aon Corporation – a provider of risk management services and insurance – in the UK and Europe. John will now drive Avalon’s expansion across Europe, as well as consolidating the UK’s mature market through a direct sales platform.

Avalon has quadrupled its sales force in the last year and John is tasked with increasing this by a further 150 per cent in the next twelve months.

Commenting on his new role, John said: “I’m looking forward to working with such a well established company. Avalon’s plan for growth in the European market means this is a crucial time for the business and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Jason Gardner, 37, joins the company as operations director, bringing with him more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Having previously worked at Key Retirement Solutions, where he gained specific insight in the grey market, Jason will now manage Avalon’s three operation sites in Wilmslow, Essex and Spain.

Financial director Mark Dugdale previously worked with a variety of highly regarded organisations, including LBC Corporate Finance, Red Squared and TopJobs.net. His financial management experience with fast-growing SMEs will be utilised in his new role with Avalon Funeral Plans.

Mike Cooper, managing director at Avalon, said: “The company is going from strength to strength and these latest appointments build on the success that Avalon has had over the last few months. John, Jason and Mark bring a wealth of experience with them and they’ll play a significant role in the continued growth of the business.”

The appointments come just weeks after Avalon announced its latest, ground-breaking funeral plan. The Compendium Plan will enable funeral directors to offer their own funeral plan service, allowing them to sell secure, bespoke plans with complete peace of mind about financial reimbursement.

 According to a new survey by Avalon Funeral Plans, almost a quarter of people who’ve moved to sunnier climes admit to pining for the occasional rain shower.

 A decent cuppa topped the poll of things expatriates longed for. 27 per cent of those surveyed said they craved a well-made cup of tea and would prefer a brew to a piña colada any day.

The research, which identified the top 10 items Brits miss about their former homeland, uncovered some surprising results. 

Only nine per cent of expats said they missed their family the most. The poll ranked loved ones at number four – behind the traditional Sunday roast, which came third.

Mike Cooper, managing director at Avalon Funeral Plans, commented: “The saying ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’ certainly seems to apply here! Who would’ve thought that people would miss a bit of rain more than their family when they move abroad?”

 Eight per cent of respondents yearned for a pint in their former local, with 160 people stating that a night back in their old drinking hole would be their idea of heaven.

 Ranking near the bottom of the list was the soap opera. Five per cent of expats said they missed watching their favourite British TV shows, while Heinz beans was revealed as the taste of home for nearly 100 people.

 Mike continued: “We work closely with many people who’ve decided to retire overseas and it’s the happiest time of their lives – but the results of this survey just go to show that you can take the person out of Britain, but you can’t take Britain out of the person!”

 Avalon recently launched the Paradise Plan specifically for Brits looking to retire overseas. The plan provides dual certification at a fixed rate of £3,495. It covers customers with a plan of equal value in key destinations including Spain, Portugal, Turkey or Cyprus.

For more information, visit http://www.avalonfuneralplans.com/

Following the completion of the late Mrs Fletchers husbands funeral, we would like to thank Guiver and son for their proffessional and caring approach towards the funeral – Mrs Fletchers comments are below:

I would like to thank you for sending me to Guiver & Son who dealt with the cremation of my husband Peter Bertram Fletcher.  They were very very good kind considerate, nothing was to much trouble for them.  They dealt with everything in a most professional manner.  I cannot praise them enough.  They suggested a wonderful man to front the service and he was exceptional.  In fact my family and friend had nothing but praise for him.  I would suggest that if you need a funeral service in Southend on Sea you seriously consider this company.

Thank you for your support at this most difficult time.

Yours faithfully

Mrs G E Fletcher

The funeral plan company will be working alongside a team of consultants from PKF’s Manchester offices, which are based in the city’s Spinningfields district.

Commenting on the appointment, Mike Cooper, managing director of Avalon, said: “PKF has a strong track record in advising businesses that are owned and managed by entrepreneurs. We have already built a successful relationship with the team and look forward to the work ahead.”

He continued: “The last 12 months have been characterised by rapid expansion in the sales team and investment in new markets – we expect to see a significant increase in the company’s turnover as a result.”

The PKFI network has over 245 member firms and correspondents in 440 locations in around 125 countries, providing accounting and business advisory services. PKFI member firms have around 2,200 partners and more than 21,000 staff. PKFI is a network member of the Forum of Firms, an organisation dedicated to consistent and high quality standards of financial reporting and auditing practices worldwide.

Avalon Provides Art Funding for local schools

Funeral plan providers Avalon have sponsored two Manchester schools to take part in the Royal Exchange Theatre’s education programme. The project enables students from Copley High School in Tameside and Lostock College in Trafford to see top calibre plays and attend pre-show workshops at two performances of ‘Powder Monkey’ and ‘As You Like It.

As well as encouraging a through exploration of the plays, the workshops will provide the children who would otherwise have very limited access to the arts, with important learning aids. Marla Cunningham, development director at the Royal Exchange Theatre said: “We have been able to deliver some top quality drama material to pupils from the two schools thanks to Avalon’s funding. First-hand experience is the best way to really capture kids’ interest in drama, so this project is absolutely fantastic for their educational development.”

“We’re highly committed to supporting our community and this sponsorship is part of our pledge to make a real difference in the local area. Without this programme, many of these children would have very limited access to arts. We’re keen to foster links with local organisations, like the Royal Exchange Theatre, that can help support our goals to deliver enriching initiatives and experiences for the local community.”

Mike Cooper, managing director at Avalon Funeral Plans, said it was “ a pleasure” to be able to provide access for local school children. “I know how much pleasure a trip to theatre can bring, and the work the Royal Exchange Theatre does to educate kids about the arts is invaluable.

The Compendium Plan is the latest offering from Avalon. It allows funeral directors to sell secure, bespoke plans with complete peace of mind about financial reimbursement.

Working in partnership with Avalon, funeral directors will be able to guarantee the cost of funerals at today’s prices, in order to eliminate the risk of going over budget.

Mike Cooper, managing director at Avalon, said: “We’re very proud of the latest addition to Avalon’s range. The Compendium Plan offers the security, commitment and flexibility that the funeral industry demands. It’s perfect for smaller companies that have never sold a plan before or those who are worried about guaranteeing prices for the future.”

He added: “The plan offers real peace of mind for directors and I hope that it’s able to broaden the service they’re able to give their customers.”

Once entrusted into Avalon’s secure trust fund, fees will rise in price with the national Consumer Price Index. After the funeral plan is enacted, funeral directors will have full access to the monies, ensuring they are fully reimbursed.

As part of the Compendium Plan, funeral directors are able to create and sell bespoke packages by cherry-picking services offered by Avalon’s existing plans: Balmoral, Highgrove and Windsor. This includes attendance to all necessary arrangements with the option to include added extras such as high quality oak coffins, use of a hearse or limousine, floral tributes and accompanying ‘thank you’ cards.

For more information,  us on 0161 486 2025

According to the latest sales figures from Avalon – a leading provider of funeral plans – sales of its Paradise Plan have soared, as money-conscious Brits look to safeguard themselves and their families from financial worries once they are gone.

Sales of the Paradise Plan grew by 20 per cent in the first quarter of 2011 – with British counties, such as Kent and Cheshire clocking-up record sales.

One in three British retirees want to spend their retirement abroad and Spain still tops the list of destinations. However, with a large proportion of the British population seeking to retire to sunnier climes, there are growing concerns about what happens in the event of death.

Today, the average cost of a basic funeral in the UK is £2,622[i]. Add in personal touches, such as a church service and flowers and prices can soar to well over £3,000. When deaths occur overseas, the practical and legal issues that arise become much more complicated.

Launched in 2010, the Avalon Paradise Plan provides dual certification at a fixed rate of £3,495. This ensures that customers will be covered in the UK and if they decide to retire abroad; they will also be covered with a plan of equal value in key destinations including Spain, Portugal, Turkey or Cyprus.

Speaking of the plan, Clare Cooper, director of Avalon, said: “Our sales figures show that more expats than ever are taking stock of what might happen in the event of a death. For those forced to deal with this terrible circumstance, arranging a funeral can seem to be a daunting and complex task.

“Planning a funeral abroad involves a large amount of communication with different countries – often in different languages. Buying a pre-paid funeral plan virtually eliminates this worry – and also safeguards against rising costs. This means that families of retirees won’t be burdened with expensive funeral costs when they are gone. And with nest eggs at an all time low – it appears financial preparation has never been more important.”

For more information about the Avalon Paradise Plan, please contact a member of the Avalon team on 0161 486 2020/+ 34 966 799 070

Avalon – a leading provider of funeral plans – has sponsored Copley High School in Tameside and Lostock College in Trafford to take part in the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Education Programme.

The project will enable both schools to see top calibre plays and attend valuable pre-show workshops at two forthcoming performances of Powder Monkey and As You Like It.

As well as encouraging a more thorough exploration of the plays, the workshops will provide the children, who would otherwise have very limited access to the arts, with important learning aids to support their Key Stage Three and Four curriculum.

Marla Cunningham, development director at the Royal Exchange Theatre, commented: “We’ve been able to deliver some top quality drama material to pupils from the two schools thanks to Avalon’s funding. First-hand experience is the best way to really capture kids’ interest in drama, so this project is absolutely fantastic for their educational development.”

Mike Cooper, managing director at Avalon Funeral Plans, added: “It’s a pleasure to be able to provide access for local school children to this programme. I know how much pleasure a trip to the theatre can bring, and the work that the Royal Exchange Theatre does to educate kids about the arts is invaluable.

“We’re highly committed to supporting our community and this sponsorship is part of our pledge to make a real difference in the local area. Without this programme, many of these children would have very limited access to arts. We’re keen to foster links with local organisations, like the Royal Exchange Theatre, that can help support our goals to deliver enriching initiatives and experiences for the local community.”

The study into perceptions of age, which was conducted by Avalon Funeral Plans, revealed that whilst women see themselves as ‘past it’ before they have even hit 30, men only consider themselves ‘old’ at the age of 58.

50 per cent of women said they first feel old when they notice their assets starting to ‘head south’. Other reasons for feeling old included saggy skin, with more than 10 per cent of women saying that their ‘turkey neck’ made them feel granny-like.

Finding their first grey hair made more than a quarter of women feel ancient, whilst three per cent said they’d feel old when, horror of horrors, they realised they’d turned into their mother!

On the other hand, nearly two thirds of male participants said they’d only feel old when their ability to ‘perform’ in the bedroom decreased! 22 per cent said they’d know they’d reached old age when they thought the music was too loud in bars.

Mike Cooper, founder and managing director of Avalon Funeral Plans, said: “It’s strange that we see other people completely differently than the way we see ourselves. Just when a man thinks he’s reached his peak, women think he’s past it!

“What I think these results show is that age is truly in the mind. You’re only as old as you feel and Avalon is testament to the fact that you can find happiness at any age. Some of our customers are in their eighties and living their lifelong dreams.”

The new office is the company’s first outside of its headquarters in Wilmslow, Cheshire. It will play an important role in the company’s expansion, supporting Avalon’s regional sales and administration function, as well as helping to develop business in the south of England.

The business is currently approaching its 30,000^th customer. Its rapid expansion means it is on target to drive revenues up from £6.5 million to £14 million in the 12 months from July 2010 to July 2011.

Mike Cooper, managing director at Avalon, commented: “We’re excited to be building on more than 20 years of successful trading in the North West by opening this office. The new location will allow us to build business relationships and establish a brand presence in the south of England.

“Avalon was founded over 20 years ago to provide unique, transparent and affordable funeral plans and that’s what we’re bringing to the area. Today, the average cost of a basic funeral in the UK is £2,622 [1], so it’s important that people start to make arrangements early. Avalon provides funeral plans which are cost-effective and ensure the deceased’s wishes are fully catered for.”

Based in state-of-the-art, purpose-built buildings in the heart of Brentwood, Avalon’s southern office will be open for business on Wednesday 2 March. The office will be managed by new recruits Ed Coss and Paul Hill, who join the Avalon team as sales managers.

The independent company offers a range of affordable funeral plans to customers all over the UK and Europe, with two overseas offices in Alicante and Torrevieja, Spain.

[1] Mintel Report, January 2007, updated 2009

Have a look at Avalon in the Brentwood Gazette