Bob Tomes elected President of FFMA

Bob Tomes, senior account manager at Oxfordshire-based Colourful Coffins, has been elected president of the Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers’ Association (FFMA). The Association, which exists to represent businesses that supply products to the funeral profession, held an election at the group’s AGM on 15 November, and saw Thomes succeed Adam Masters, who has held the FFMA Presidency for the past two years. Commenting on his appointment, Tomes said: “Adam has done a tremendous job of growing the FFMA membership over the past two years. With the support of our chief executive, Alun Tucker, he has started to transform the Association by developing its constitution and helping it to cement its position as a respected organisation within the funeral profession. “I aim to continue with that work, growing the membership and ensuring the FFMA goes from strength to strength in its role of representing funeral profession suppliers by showcasing best practice.” He added: “We also want to help members to meet the challenges of a changing profession in areas such as regulation, the environment, and funeral trends.” Tomes is the son of ‘Colourful Coffins’ founder Mary Tomes, over the last decade he has been working within the family business, he has built up an “in-depth knowledge” of the funeral industry. Tucker added: “Bob has been a long-standing member of the Association and played an important role in helping to develop our universally-recognised coffin and casket accreditation scheme, which ensures coffins offered to families are of the highest standard. “With this invaluable experience, Bob’s very well placed to represent the FFMA as its president.” He continued: “I’ve no doubt we’ll have a strong working partnership as we take the association forward on its journey of reform and renewal to enhance our service to members, helping them to better support their clients who care for bereaved families.”