Walter H. Squires & Son's commitment to providing professional excellence was further reinforced recently, when Company Director, Ryan Squires, and Funeral Director, Richard Jackson, were both awarded the National Association of Funeral Director's Diploma in Funeral Directing, considered to be one of the profession's most prestigious awards.

For Richard, this was the completion of a course of professional development that began before he became a part of the Walter H. Squires & Son team, in March of last year, but for Ryan the same journey started seven years ago. Explaining the significant lapse of time, Ryan said "When Melanie and I first met she had just completed the foundation module of the course, and through our discussions I learnt of its value which prompted me to enrole myself. I completed the foundation via distance learning, taking my exam within 12 months, under the watchful eye of Mr Andrew White, of A. White and Sons, Funeral Directors of Crediton (who is also a diploma holder, as required by the N.A.F.D.), however soon after the business became more succesful and required even more of my time so I had to abandon any further studies indefinitely. Whilst discussing the current course with Richard I discovered that the exam is to change quite significantly next year, and if I did not complete the course this year my foundation would be obsolete and I would have to re-sit the whole course from the beginning. This was a great incentive to let my dedicated staff take more control in the day to day running of the business and allow me to re-enrole myself in February this year and join Richard at his studys every Monday evening, this time at the premises of Walter C. Parson, Funeral Directors of Plymouth."

Ryan and Richard attended Yardley, in the West Midlands, in September this year, with Ryan sitting the written exam on Wednesday 19th, and both Ryan and Richard completing the oral exam on Thursday 20th. This was then followed by an agonising six week wait for the results.

In conclusion Ryan added "I know this has not been an easy task for Richard, juggling an unbelievably busy work life with the usual home life pressures a dedicated Father of three young boys faces, and he is justifiably proud of his success, but I am also extremely proud of him. For my own part, I'm just so pleased I can put studies aside and once again concentrate on the business, only with an enhanced sense of personal pride and the knowledge that we are doing all we can to remain one of Devon's most respected independent family funeral directors."

Issued on behalf of Walter H. Squires & Son

Back to main news index