SAIF names Ross Hickton as new president

The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) has announced the appointment of Hickton Family Funeral Directors’ managing director, Ross Hickton, as its new president. 

He succeeds outgoing president Declan Maguire, having formally taken on the role at SAIF’s annual general meeting weekend in Glasgow between 4 and 6 April for the upcoming year. 

Hickton’s funeral business, which is headquartered in Cradley Heath, has cared for bereaved people in the Black Country since 1909. 

Meanwhile, Whitley Bay funeral director, Gary Staker, was named SAIF’s first vice president, and Paul Sillett, of Bury, as its second vice president. 

Speaking of his tenure as president until 2026, Hickton pledged to focus on three themes: direct cremation, regulation, and future-proofing family-run funeral companies, saying that these are “the biggest challenges facing SAIF members today” while also presenting opportunities to innovate and modernise. 

Terry Tennens, chief executive of the SAIF, said: “Our outgoing president, Declan Maguire, is a trailblazer for digital technology adoption in the funeral sector and has really set SAIF’s tone and direction towards innovation. 

So, to have Ross follow up with a strong focus on the future, direct cremation and regulation, SAIF will cement its position as the voice of modern independent funeral businesses. I’m very excited about working with Ross over the coming year, as we tackle the challenges facing our members and give thanks to Declan for his tireless service to our profession.”

The association now has around 1,000 funeral director members who collectively operate over 2,000 funeral homes. 

Hickton’s charity of choice for his presidential year is Prostate Cancer UK, a cause close to the heart of his family after they lost their dad – and third generation of the funeral business – Trevor Hickton to cancer in September 2024.