Find out more about funeral plan regulation
Read more about the FCA's regulation of the funeral planning market.
About Co-op Funeral Plans Limited
Co-op Funeralcare is the UK’s leading funeral provider for funerals and pre-paid plans. Co-op Funeral Plans Limited provides our Co-op funeral plans and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
A funeral plan is the easy way to arrange and pay for your funeral in advance, giving you comfort in knowing that costs are covered. It lets you choose how you want to be remembered which can remove any uncertainty your loved ones may have about your final wishes.
Meet our Board members
Our Board is made up of 4 non-executive directors and one executive director.
Joanne Hindle - Board Chair
Joanne joined the Board as Chair on 1 May 2022.
Skills and experience
Joanne has extensive experience of UK regulated businesses having worked in the financial services sector for over 30 years.
Joanne originally trained as a lawyer specialising in commercial law. Her Executive career included roles as Corporate Services Director at Unum Limited and Director of Pensions Development at NatWest Life.
Joanne is currently Chair of Stafford Railway Building Society and a Non-Executive Director of Bank of London and Middle East where she also chairs the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. Her previous Non-Executive roles include Chair of the Holmesdale Building Society and Chair of Shepherds Friendly Society.
Alex Crate – Executive Director & Director of Life Services – Pre Need
Alex is an Executive Director and became Director of Life Services – Pre Need in January 2026, having spent the last ten years of his Executive career in senior leadership roles at the Co-op. Prior to his time at the Co-op he was an owner/director of a national coverage business which grew from a standing start to achieving a group turnover of £3.5m under his leadership.
Skills and Experience
Alex is an experienced and trusted senior leader with a proven track record of effectively discharging regulatory accountabilities, successfully driving change, developing and maintaining a high performance culture whilst ensuring client centricity and role modelling inclusive leadership.
Alex is a member of the CFPL Board, Chair of the Executive Committee and Executive Product, Operations & Customer Committee and regulatory approved holder of Controlled Function SMF1.
Alex brings demonstrated ability in delivering business transformational programmes including optimised journeys that deliver brilliantly for clients whilst achieving responsible commercial growth at pace.
Gary Dewin - Non-Executive Director
Gary joined the Board on 6 June 2022.
Skills and experience
Gary has worked at the Co-op for nearly 20 years, most recently as People Director where he has responsibilities for Reward, Pensions, Employee Relations & Wellbeing. Gary also holds a number of subsidiary directorships at the Co-op.
Gary is currently Chair of the Governors for The Co-operative Academy of Leeds.
Ian Cordwell - Independent Non-Executive Director & Chair of the Board Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee
Ian joined the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 6 June 2022.
Skills and experience
Ian has over 30 years of experience of UK regulated businesses having spent his Executive career within the retail financial services sector covering life & pensions, general insurance and retail credit. Ian’s previous roles included Finance Director and subsequently Chief Investment Officer at Police Mutual and numerous c-suite roles at Liverpool Victoria.
Ian is currently a Non-Executive Director at Redmayne Bentley where he chairs their Audit Committee and he is also Chair of the Audit Committee at NPA Insurance Limited. Ian was previously a Non-Executive at Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust.
Peter Frost – Independent Non-Executive Director
Peter joined the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 24 May 2023.
Skills and experience
Peter has over 30 years extensive experience within the financial services sector with a track record of leading scale teams delivering industry recognised levels of customer service and colleague engagement.
Peter’s executive career has included serving as Operations Director of UK Retail Operations at Barclays Bank and more recently at Coventry Building Society as Chief Operating Officer and subsequently as Chief Customer Officer where he was also an Executive Director.
Since retiring from full time employment in 2023 Peter has become a Non-Executive Director at Birmingham Bank and also a Trustee at Coventry Citizens Advice. He also undertakes coaching/advisory work.