Our Vision and Values
Our vision is to be the UK’s leading Funeral Group, renowned for our unwavering commitment to celebrating legacies with compassion, integrity and care.
Sebastian Ballesteros
Founder
Founders Story
When I was a boy, I wanted to be so many things I couldn’t make my mind up, an architect, neurosurgeon, pirate, batman….
I never would have guessed in a million years that I’d end up being a funeral director!
I never would have guessed in a million years that I’d end up being a funeral director!
My grandfather passed away in January 2023. Let’s start there.
Being a bereaved family member and needing to use a funeral director was not something I had ever even thought about before, the same for most of us. But it was that tragedy that introduced me to the funeral industry and the incredible people who serve as a rock for their communities, day in, and day out. I knew I had to be a part of it.
Quickly realising that this is a unique sector where you truly have only one opportunity to offer the best service you can to someone in a deeply distressing part of their lives, I understood this was a service that even in today’s modern era of software and machinery, truly has people at its heart. Noticing a trend with owners of well-established and respected funeral businesses in the UK reaching retirement age with no succession plan, I wanted to build a platform that owners would feel comfortable entrusting their businesses to, confident that their staff, reputation, and legacies would all be respected and left in capable, trustworthy hands. I made the decision in June 2023 that I wanted to pay tribute to Grandad by doing the very best I could in his memory – hence Tribute Funerals was born.
We are an authentic, hardworking team that are buying successful businesses trusted by local communities all over the UK, providing owners with the ability to finally step away from a business they spent so many years toiling away to build, with their heads held high and proud.
I live every day doing my best to shoulder the responsibility of making my Grandpa proud and making the best of the opportunity he gave me, so I invite you to become a part of that journey and know that whether you’re a grieving family trying to deal with the loss of a loved one, a business owner thinking of finally calling it a day and retiring but worried about leaving your legacy you built from nothing brick by brick in the right hands….
I understand the weight of a promise, so in whatever way we can, please let us help ease the burden of keeping all of yours.
Warm regards,
Seb
Emma Barnes
Chief Operating Officer
Emma Barnes has over 15 years’ experience as a Senior Executive within the Health Care. Industry. From the Funeral sector to Veterinary care and more recently in the Dental industry Emma’s goal has been to grow sustainable businesses who actively develop and enhance the service proposition.
Being part of the Laurel Funeral journey was an exciting one. As the COO in Laurels she was very proud to be part of an exceptional team who were really passionate about the continual improvement. More recently Emma has established her own business as a Certified Business Coach, supporting businesses and teams reach their optimum potential.
Emma lives in Cambridgeshire with her husband Mark, 2 grown up kids and her cat called Ozzy!
Jonathan Miller
Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan has over 30 years’ experience as a Senior Executive in financial and leadership roles, principally at McColl’s plc, including 6 as CEO, where he established a leading convenience store retailer. Trained with Deloitte, Jonathan is a highly effective, ACA qualified CFO and brings a fresh perspective to add to the team’s already deep-rooted understanding of the funeral industry.
In 1995 he was part of an MBO team that acquired the 640 store Forbuoys newsagent chain from Gallaher Tobacco Ltd. This was closely followed by the acquisition of 780 Martins newsagent stores, creating McColls Retail Group. He was a principal in a secondary buyout of McColl’s in 2005, and acquired over 300 independent convenience stores in 5 years. He ran a highly successful IPO process in 2014. In 2016 he completed the large acquisition of 298 convenience stores (including 90 freehold stores) from Co-op.
He brings significant commercial experience to Tribute, together with a deep understanding of the local community having already worked nationwide with customer facing store front businesses. He has led and completed numerous acquisitions and is respectful and sympathetic to the needs and concerns of business founders, as they hand over their legacy to a new owner.
Andrew Brown
Group Funeral Director
Andrew is a seasoned professional with a proven track record of driving operational excellence & efficiency.
Having worked in all areas of the funeral business, Andrew has over 30 years experience working in many areas of the UK & for businesses of all sizes. From Management positions with Dignity, Co-op and Funeral Partners, to small independent businesses. This experience means he has a deep understanding of the unique needs & challenges facing families at their time of loss, as well as what support businesses of all sizes need.
A passion for high standards was instilled in him when he started working for his Uncle’s highly respected funeral business in Scotland in the early 90s, and has remained with him ever since. Away from work, Andrew, who lives in Surrey, enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters and going on long walks with the family dog.
Chris Aylward
Acquisitions Advisor
Chris has over 20 years experience at a senior level within healthcare covering pharmacy, funeral and most recently the dental sector including being the co-founder and part of the team to set up and develop Riverdale Healthcare into a top 10 dental group within four years.
Being passionate about acquisitions, Chris understands the significance of the decision to sell your business and the need for a clear process and support along the way. It is important that acquisitions are a complementary fit so that the transition can be as smooth as possible, ensuring that the business built up over many years can continue to flourish and make you proud.
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