About us
What we do
Consultancy, including independent research and thought leadership
Working with businesses and other organisations who share our values, in pursuit of better customer outcomes. We provide consultancy support to a range of funeral related businesses and also provide help to other later life service providers including will writers. We are expert in providing sector and consumer insight and have a focus on how the funeral industry can become more environmentally efficient. We specialise in helping consultancy firms, new entrants, and investors seeking to better understand the funeral planning and funeral service sectors in the UK, and the opportunities that may exist.
Helping make sense of funeral planning, helping save money
We use our extensive sector experience and expertise to conduct consumer research, and review markets, to ensure that consumers are getting the confident, fair value outcomes they are seeking. We highlight where product solutions are not as clear and fair as they should be. We deliver this work in the form of blogs, market reports, product ratings, consumer guides and through the media. We work with other independent consumer sites including Fairer Finance, Money Saving Expert and MoneyHelper.
Who we are
Simon Cox
A genuine funeral sector expert. Has spent over 39 years in funeral planning and later life sectors, responsible for managing and launching Over 50 and Funeral Plan products working for and with leading players Dignity, Royal London, Sun Life, Golden Charter, Perfect Choice and Co-Op.
Regular contributor in national media appearing on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4 and 5, Sky News, LBC and extensively in the national press.
Driven by achieving better outcomes for consumers has worked with English and Scottish Governments, appeared at Parliamentary Select Committees on bereavement benefits and contributed to CMA and FCA sector consultations.
A champion for end-of-life regulatory change. His research and campaigning work has helped lead to FCA regulation of the funeral plan market and improvements to the Funeral Expenses/Support Payment.
Phil Bidwell
Highly experienced marketer, with over 36 years-experience in the financial services industry working across most sectors. Has led multi-channel marketing teams for leading brands including Prudential, Citibank, Egg, Markel and Royal London.
Expert in using consumer insight and analytics to develop marketing strategies and initiatives that drive effective and efficient response and ensure measurable return on investment.
In recent years, as an independent consultant, has worked with companies of all sizes on a range of marketing and business challenges including; launching new start-ups, rebranding existing businesses, improving marketing capability and marketing performance improvement projects.
Proud to be working with Simon and our expert partners to support other service providers and to help consumers get better and fairer outcomes.
Find out more
Working with us
Find out more about working with us and our trusted partners.
In the media
Find out more about media appearances and mentions here.
How we make money
How we make money, use money and our charity promise.
Blogs and research
Read articles, expert opinion and summaries of our latest research.
Buy research reports
Our latest expert, independent research reports available to buy.
Contact us
For information, consultancy, research reports or media support.
The expert's view
Between Simon and I we have seen pretty much every corner of the financial services industry, including the later life and funeral planning sectors. We understand what is good value and fair, and also what is not. We are passionate about using our combined experience to help consumers get a better, fairer deal. And working with other organisations who share our aims.
— Phil Bidwell, Funeral Solution Expert Co-Founder