Kingfisher Funerals becomes employee-owned

Kingfisher Independent Funeral Services has become an Employee Owned Trust (EOT), meaning that its employees now effectively own the business. 

Established in 2010, Kingfisher has been owned and managed by Andrew Hickson and his partner Tim for nearly 15 years, and has built an “enviable and solid” reputation in St Neots, Huntingdon and St Ives for its services.  

Hickson said: “Our employees are the unsung heroes of our business, and it’s right that they should be rewarded for their commitment and loyalty. The transition to employee ownership marks the beginning of a new era for Kingfisher Funerals, as the employees take on new responsibilities managing and running the company. 

“The ethos of the business remains the same, and we guarantee that we will never be interested in upselling clients things they don’t want or need. Our focus will always be on the service we provide, not the profit we want to make.”

Following the EOT, Hickson continues to be a director of the company. Funeral director Philip Reynolds has stepped into the role of company director, and will gradually take on more responsibility to allow Hickson to step back as he gets older.  

Meanwhile, Hickson’s partner Tim has changed his role from company director to trustee, taking responsibility for the trust which ultimately holds the shares of the company. Hickson will represent the employees on the board, and civil funeral celebrant Marie has been named independent trustee. 

The trustees’ role is to challenge any proposals or decisions made by Hickson and Reynolds to be certain that the employees have agreed to any significant changes, and to ensure the Trust remains solvent.

Hickson added: “We are proud to remain independent, locally-owned funeral directors in St Neots, Huntingdon and St Ives, and wish our employees every success in 2025 and the years to come.”