G E Hartley and Son joins Funeral Partners
Established in 1808 in the village of Thorner under the name A&B Harrison, the business was initially focused on cabinet and chair making
Funeral Partners has announced that G E Hartley and Son in Yorkshire has joined its network of funeral directors.
Established in 1808 in the village of Thorner under the name A&B Harrison, the business was initially focused on cabinet and chair making.
The company began to carry out funerals after people came to them for coffin making.
Having worked for the Harrison family, the Hartleys took over the running of the business some four generations ago.
The business expanded into nearby Garforth in 1995, then to Wetherby in 2008, moving into new premises seven years later following a substantial refurbishment.
Stewart Hartley, business principal at G E Hartley and Son, who joined the family business in 2007 after a corporate career, said: “I very quickly saw the appeal in helping people. It was a big change from my old career, but it has worked out really well.
“It’s getting more and more difficult to run a small business, especially a Funeral Director. The proposition from Funeral Partners was appealing because it allows me to stay on as part of the business but work a little less, which gives me a better work life balance and enables me to concentrate on arranging and directing funerals – the part of the job I really love.”
He added: “ The value from a professional organisation like Funeral Partners with support functions such as marketing, HR, payroll, IT, finance and compliance is already apparent. The team and I are looking forward to seeing the business thrive.”
Sam Kershaw, CEO of Funeral Partners, added: “Having a business of the calibre of G E Hartley and Son working with us is a real honour – they have more than 200 years of heritage and a reputation to be proud of.
“I am delighted Stewart decided we were the right partner for his funeral service business and that he has chosen to stay on to continue working with families in Wetherby and Garforth,-working together we will ensure his family legacy lives on.”
