Stronger Together: LAFD Joins Celebration as NAFD Installs New Leadership Team

LAFD President Adrian Saville Dip FD. and NAFD President Julian Hussey

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has officially installed its national officer team for the upcoming term, following the Annual General Meeting in Nottingham. Bringing together key figures from across the profession, the event marked an important milestone for unity and standards within the UK funeral sector.

Representing our region at the ceremony was our very own LAFD President, Adrian Saville Dip FD. Adrian’s attendance highlighted the close, collaborative partnership between the London association and the national body, especially as our member firms prepare for a landscape of evolving regulatory standards.

LAFD President Adrian Saville and former LAFD President Adam Ginder as part of the NAFD executive team

The newly appointed national leadership combines deep independent heritage with extensive operational experience across the UK:

The New NAFD National Officer Team

LAFD President Adrian Saville and former LAFD President Adam Ginder as part of the NAFD executive team. The newly appointed national leadership combines deep independent heritage with extensive operational experience across the UK:

National President: Julian Hussey (A.G. Down / W.G. Potter)

First Vice President: James Schofield (Radcliffe Funeral Services)

Second Vice President: Emily Houghton (Director of Operations / Regional Director at Rosedale Funeral Home)

Immediate Past President: Darryl Smith (Heart of England Co-op Funerals)

The national team will work closely with regional leaders, Tim Purves, who is President of NAFD Scotland, and Emma Moore, leading NAFD Northern Ireland. Together with NAFD Chief Executive Andrew Judd, this unified executive team is ready to champion the interests of funeral professionals nationwide.

Navigating the Future: A Shared Vision for the Capital

In his opening address, NAFD National President Julian Hussey outlined key focus areas that resonate strongly with the LAFD’s own mission around education:

Regulation Preparedness: Guiding and supporting independent and regional firms as they adapt to upcoming statutory oversight and stricter quality assessments.

Embedding the Funeral Director Code: Strengthening public trust by maintaining absolute transparency, price clarity, and high ethical compliance across all districts.

Professional Development: Nurturing the next generation of funeral service professionals through strong educational pathways and robust mental health support.

Driving Standards Forward in London

Reflecting on the event, LAFD President Adrian Saville emphasized the importance of London voices being part of these vital national conversations. As the oldest association of its kind, the LAFD remains dedicated to equipping London funeral directors with the knowledge, resources, and representation needed to navigate industry changes seamlessly.

We congratulate Julian and the new national officer team on their appointments, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand over the coming year to support our members and the communities they serve.

Adrian would like to thank everyone who attended the ceremony for their outstanding support. Together, we're stronger.