Golden Leaves acquires Avalon Funeral Plans
The combined business will manage more than 150,000 active plan holders and hold around £325m in trust
Register to get 1 more free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Golden Leaves Funeral Plans has officially acquired Avalon Funeral Plans in a deal that combines two of the UK’s best-known pre-paid funeral plan providers and expands the group’s presence across Europe.
The acquisition brings together two Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)-regulated firms with offices in the UK and Spain. The combined business will manage more than 150,000 active plan holders and hold around £325m in trust.
According to Golden Leaves, the merger would create greater scale, operational efficiency, and cost savings, while strengthening relationships with local funeral directors. The group will also become the only FCA-regulated provider serving both domestic and international customers.
Barry Floyd, chief executive of Golden Leaves, said: “The acquisition of Avalon marks an important milestone for Golden Leaves and the wider funeral planning industry. By combining two trusted, FCA-regulated providers with shared values and a mutual commitment to customers, we are creating a stronger, more resilient organisation capable of delivering even greater value and peace of mind to families across the UK and Europe.
“Together, Golden Leaves and Avalon will continue to protect customers’ futures, uphold the highest service standards, and provide a trusted choice for British expatriates and UK residents alike.”
Jason Gardner, Europe director of Avalon, added: “Avalon has built a strong, regulated business with a loyal customer base across the UK and Europe. Joining Golden Leaves is a natural next step that strengthens both organisations. I’m pleased to be staying on in the combined group to help ensure continuity for our customers, our partners, and our teams as we move forward together.”
Both firms operate trust-backed funeral plans aimed at improving customer protection and service quality. The merged business will operate as one of the largest independent, non-integrated funeral plan providers in the market, targeting further investment in service excellence and innovation.
