New Chief Executive at Funeral Planning Authority
Following the retirement of Peter Wills, FPA has appointed Stuart Harland to be Chief Executive with effect from 6 May 2004. Stuart has held a number of senior banking appointments in the UK, more recently being a joint general manager of Sanwa Bank Ltd with responsibilities for its operations and development in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Stuart’s banking track record enables him to bring to FPA not only strong management skills but also a wide experience of regulatory and compliance issues.
After a career of over 15 years in funeral planning, Peter Wills has decided the time has come to retire. Throughout those years Peter has been at the forefront of funeral planning in the UK and for the past few years he has been committed to ensure that the Funeral Planning Authority is firmly on the road to success. It was with reluctance that the Board accepted Peter’s request to retire, not least because it wished to retain his experience and knowledge of funeral planning in the UK. The board wishes to record its appreciation of all that Peter has done on its behalf and hopes that he will have a long and happy retirement.In line with these changes, with immediate effect the Funeral Planning Authority is introducing new contact details as follows:
Telephone: 0845 601 9619
Email: info@funeralplanningauthority.com
Address: Knellstone House, Udimore, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6AR
C/FPA PR/News Release 23.4.04
FPA Accepts Co-Operative Funeral Care as Registered Provider
The Funeral Planning Authority is pleased to announce that the Co-operative Group, which trades as Co-operative Funeral care, has been accepted as a Funeral Planning Authority Registered Provider. The acceptance of Co-operative Funeral care means that plan providers registered with Funeral Planning Authority provide over 90% of all funeral plans currently purchased in the United Kingdom.
Peter Wills, Chief Executive of FPA said “Co-operative Funeral care is one of the leading funeral plan providers in the UK and we are delighted that they have applied for and been accepted as a FPA Registered Provider. The 90% figure was the initial aim of the FPA, and we will now work towards all plan providers becoming registered with FPA.”
Richard Gomersall, general manager of Co-operative Funeral care commented: “The fact that our funeral plan meets the FPA’s strict operational criteria gives the consumer added assurance about our high standards. We are very pleased to have become a registered provider.”
For further information please contact:
Peter Wills on 01306 740878 or inquiries@funeralplanningauthority.co.uk.
Funeral Planning Authority Announces Appointment of New Director, Appointment of New Registered Provider and Short Listed For PR Award
The Funeral Planning Authority (FPA) announces the following:
Following Mrs Delma-Rose Yorath's retirement, Funeral Planning Council Limited has appointed Mr Chris Thompson as a director of FPA in place of Mrs Yorath. Chris Thompson is Chief General Manager - Non Food Trading of United Co-op, which includes overall responsibility for its funeral business.
The FPA is pleased to announce that Leeds Co-operative Society Limited has applied for, and has been granted Registered Provider status as from 12 September 2002.
The FPA' s PR agency Prowse & Company Limited, has been short listed by the Institute of Public Relations for one of its "Cream regional awards" under the "Best low Budget" heading - in respect of the work it did for the FPA earlier this year. Prowse & Company is to be congratulated for its work - and it is of comfort to the FPA to know that whilst it allocated a small budget for PR activities, the work that was done on its behalf has been recognised for its quality.
Editors' note: For further information contact :
Peter Wills Chief Executive Funeral Planning Authority
Tel: 01306 740878
Mobile 07960 949550
The Funeral Planning Authority was created at the end of 2001 in response to new Government legislation taking effect on 1 January 2002 which is designed to ensure proper protection of money paid by consumers for their pre-paid funeral plans. The legislation contains exclusion criteria and it is understood all funeral providers have structured their arrangements to meet the criteria. The Funeral Planning Authority has been created to monitor it's Registered Providers' compliance with Government legislation, and with the Funeral Planning Authority's Rules and Code of Practice. This monitoring of compliance demonstrates high professional standards and reassures consumers that their plans are safe if they are purchased from an FPA Registered Provider. FPA Registered Providers represent in excess of 90% of all funeral plans sold in the United Kingdom.
Funeral Planning Authority Announces Its First Registered Providers
8th May 2002 The Funeral Planning Authority (FPA) is a self-regulatory body, established in November 2001 in response to Government legislation. The aim of the legislation, which took effect on 1 January 2002, is to protect the interests of the rapidly growing number of people who buy pre-paid funeral plans.
"Purchasers of pre-paid funeral plans can be independently reassured that the money they have paid is properly protected" says Peter Wills, Chief Executive of the FPA. "The FPA has Rules and a strict Code of Practice and expects its Registered Providers to observe the highest professional standards".
So far 17 companies throughout the United Kingdom have been accepted as Registered Providers "The response has been highly encouraging" says Peter Wills. "To obtain registration, each funeral plan provider must submit its arrangements for review by the FPA' s independent Compliance Committee. If we find that a Registered Provider does not continue to comply, they may be reprimanded, fined or have their registration terminated".
Peter Wills summarises: "By purchasing from a FPA Registered Provider, consumers can be assured that they are dealing with one of the most reputable companies in the industry, one which maintains high standards and properly protects its customer's money. Consumers should look out for the 'FPA, Funeral Planning Authority Registered' logo which will be displayed by all Registered Providers".
The Registered Providers represent in excess of 90% of all funeral plans sold in the United Kingdom.
The companies are:
Advance Planning Limited
Age Concern Funeral Plan
0800 387 718
Bristol Funeral Directors Limited
The BFD Pre-paid Funeral Plan
0117 966 1965
www.bristolfuneraldirectors.co.uk
Chelmsford Star Cooperative Society Limited
0800 028 4808
Clydebank Cooperative Society Limited
0141 952 1573
Colchester and East Essex Cooperative Society Limited
01206 793492 D
Chisholm & Sons
01463 712255
Dignity Pre Arrangement Limited Dignity Funeral Plan
0800 387 717 www.dignityfuneral.co.ukChosen Heritage 0800 221 166
Family Funerals Trust Limited Family Funerals Trust
020 8818 7710 www.lodgebros.co.uk
Funeral Planning Services Limited Cruse Bereavement Care Funeral Plan
01508 532632 Personalised funeral plans through local funeral directors
Golden Charter Limited Golden Charter
0800 833 800
Help the Aged Funeral Plan
0800 169 1112
www.helptheaged.org.uk/funeralplans
Golden Leaves Limited Golden Leaves
0800 854448
Heart of England Cooperative Society Limited
024 7638 2331
Midlands Cooperative Society Limited
0800 454552
NAFD Services Limited The Perfect Choice
0121 709 0019
Plymouth and South West Cooperative Society Limited
01752 303808
Reynolds Funeral Service Serenity Funeral Plan
01243 864745
www.reynoldsfuneralservices.co.uk
United Norwest Cooperatives Limited Unity Funeral Bond
0161 493 4598
The list of Registered Providers and their contact details will be updated regularly. It can be obtained from the Funeral Planning Authority. Telephone 01306 740878 - and from the FPA' s website www.funeralplanningauthority.com
Editors. note: For further information, contact Peter Wills on 01306 740878
New Government Legislation
The new legislation states that unless they meet certain criteria pre-paid funeral plans will fall under direct Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulation. . If a funeral plan is either based around a compliant life-assurance plan or trust fund, it will be excluded from direct FSA regulation. All pre-paid funeral plan providers are operating their arrangements around a life assurance plan or a trust fund.
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
Pre-paid funeral plans were first introduced into the UK in the mid 1980s. Since then, they have become increasingly popular. To date, more than 350,000 people in the UK have purchased a pre-arranged funeral plan, where they determine their funeral arrangements and pay for these in advance. People purchase such plans for a number of reasons. Some purchase to maintain control of their affairs and select the funeral service they want. Others purchase so they can rest assured that their funeral will be paid for, that the arrangements are settled, leaving less for their dependents to worry about. Pre-paid funeral plans work on the basis that when the consumer purchases a plan, either:
- the money goes into a trust fund. Money in the trust fund is then invested to ensure that sufficient funds are maintained in the trust to pay for the funeral as and when the purchaser of a plan dies. or
- Pre-paid funeral plans can also be assurance-based, where a life-assurance policy is purchased with the aim of paying out sufficient funds to cover the funeral cost when the policyholder dies. Issued by the Funeral Planning Authority Limited 8 May 2002
Funeral Planning Authority Launches to Protect Consumers Interests
14 November 2001 The Funeral Planning Authority (FPA), a new self-regulatory body set to launch this month, is to advise all purchasers of prepaid funeral plans to ensure they buy from a FPA registered provider in future to ensure their interests are protected. This comes in response to new Government legislation taking effect on 1 January 2002 which is designed to ensure proper protection of money paid by consumers for their pre-paid funeral plans. The legislation contains exclusion criteria and it is expected that all funeral providers will structure their arrangements to meet the criteria, meaning they avoid having to apply to the FSA for authorisation.
The purchase of pre-paid funeral plans is becoming more and more popular and the industry felt there was a need to establish a form of self-regulation to demonstrate best practice and protect consumers' interests for this growing market outside of direct FSA regulation. The Funeral Planning Authority has been created so that the industry can self-regulate, demonstrate high professional standards and reassure consumers that their plans are safe if they are purchased from a FPA registered provider.
Peter Wills, chief executive explained: "We're encouraging all providers of pre-paid funeral plans to become 'registered providers'. To do this, they will have to meet strict criteria and adhere to our Rules and Code of Conduct. If, subsequently, we find that a registered provider does not comply, they may be reprimanded, fined or have their registration terminated".
Funeral Planning Authority Launches to Protect Consumers Interests cont.
He continued: .Purchasing a pre-paid funeral plan is a big step. Consumers naturally want to be reassured that the money they pay for their plan is safe and that their funeral will be carried out in accordance with their wishes when the time comes. Over the past few years, there have been a number of concerns raised about the security and safety of pre-paid funeral plans. By purchasing from a FPA registered provider, consumers can be assured that they are purchasing from one of the most reputable companies in the industry, one which maintains high standards and properly protects its customer's money.
A list of registered providers will be available in the coming months from the Funeral Planning Authority - Telephone 01306 740878. Consumers should also look out for the FPA , Funeral Planning Authority registered logo which will be displayed by all registered providers. ENDS Editors. note: For further information, contact Sara Lipscombe-Nott or Tara Hamilton-Hicks at Prowse & Co on 01372 363386.
New Government Regulation
The new regulation states that pre-paid funeral plans will fall under Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulation unless they meet certain criteria. If a funeral plan is either based around a life-assurance plan or a trust fund, it will be excluded from direct FSA regulation. It is expected that all pre-paid funeral plan providers will fall outside this direct regulation.
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
Pre-paid funeral plans were first introduced into the UK in the mid 1980s. Since then, they have become increasingly popular. To date, more than 300,000 people in the UK have purchased a pre-arranged funeral plan, where they determine their funeral arrangements and pay for them in advance.
People purchase such plans for a number of reasons. Some purchase to maintain control of their affairs and select the funeral service they want. Others purchase so they can rest assured that their funeral will be paid for, that the arrangements are settled, leaving less for their dependents to worry about.
There are many different pre-paid funeral plan providers in the UK. Plans are run by individual local funeral directors; by larger organisations who sell through funeral directors and by charitable organisations.
Most pre-paid funeral plans work on the basis that when the consumer purchases a plan, the money goes into a trust fund. Money in the trust fund is then invested to ensure that sufficient funds are maintained in the trust to pay for the funeral as and when the purchaser of a plan dies. Pre-paid funeral plans can also be assurance-based, where a life-assurance policy is purchased with the aim of paying out sufficient funds to cover a funeral when a policy-holder dies.
Issued by Prowse & Co on behalf of the Funeral Planning Authority.